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STAN FORD UNIVERSITY LJBR ARIES 




STANFORD UNIVERSITY LIBRAKTliS 




I 




i^^^-^.O.v 



^ ^or[U %xMXf 



A ROMANCE 
IN STANZAS OF EIGHT LINES, 



-t 



RE-EDITED FROM MS. HARLEY 2252^ IN THE BRITISH 
MUSEUM, 

WITH INTRODUCTION, NOTES, GLOSSARY 
AND INDEX OF NAMES, 

BY 

J. DOUGLAS BRUCE, Ph.D., 

PROFESSOR OF THE ENGLISH LANOUAOB AND LITERATURE IN THE 
UNIYERSITT OF TENNESSEE, U.S.A. 



LONDON : 
PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY 

By KEGAN PAUL, TEENCH, TRUBNEE & CO., LIMITED, 

DRYDEN HOUSE, 43, GERRARD STREET, SOHO, W. 
1903. 



£/2 e 



^ctra S^tntn, lxxxyiii. 
RiCHABD Clat k Sons, Limited, London and Bunqay. 

12245G 



CONTENTS. 

Introduction : ^^°« 

§ 1. MANUSCRIPT AND EDITIONS ... ,^ Vii 

§2. SOURCES xiii 

§ 3. DIALECT AND DATE .,. XX 

§4. METRE XXV 

§5. AUTHORSHIP XXVii 

§6. STYLE XXix 

Le Mortb Arthur ... ... ... 1 

KOTES 122 

Editions op Middle English Texts referred to in the 

KOTES ^- ... 135 

Glossary 137 

Index op Kames 147 



Vll 



INTRODUCTION. 



i 1. Mamiscript and Editions^ p. vii. 

i 2. Sources, p. xiii. 

i 3, Dialect and Date, p. xx. 



§ 4. Metre, p. xxv. 

§ 5. Authorship, p. xxvii. 

§ 6. Style, p. xxix. 



§ 1. MANUSCRIPT AND EDITIONS. 

The metrical romance *Le Morte Arthur,' as far as is known, 
exists o^ly in the British Museum MS., Harley 2252, in which MS. 
it occupies leaves 86-133, back. In Ward's * Catalogue of Romances,' 
L 405, the portion of this MS. which contains our romance is assigned 
to the late fifteenth centurg ^, being the work of two scribes of approxi- 
mately the same date. The hand-writing of the first of these scribes, 
who is moreover the scribe of the romance known as * Ipomedon B.' 
contained in the same MS., extends only as far as the bottom of leaf 
101, back. In these first sixteen leaves, there are from thirty to 
thirty-six lines to the page, whereas in the remaining portion the 
lines run from thirty-nine to forty-six to a page. As has been 
remarked by "Ward, the MS. contains besides *Le Morte Arthur' and 
* Ipomedon B.' various miscellanies in a later hand, the most interest- 
ing of which consist of poems by Skelton and others. This later 
hand is probably that of John Colyns of London, who has written at 
the end of the copy of our romance (leaf 133, back) : "Thys Boke 
belongythe to John Colyns mercei' of london dwellyng in the paiysshe 
of our lady at wolchyrche hawe Anexid the Stocked in )je pultre yn 
Anno domi/^^ 1517." Of this John Colyns, in connection with the 
affairs of his parish, there is mention in other entries in this MS., 
viz. : on leaf 163 and leaf 165. Still further, the inscription " Sum 
Roberti Farrer," dating from the sixteenth century, is found on leaf 
1, back, and it appears from another entry (leaf 162, back) that the 
botfk was in the possession of this " Robert Farrers " in 1570. 

The earliest notice of * Le Morte Arthur,' as far as I have been 
able to discover, is that which is found in the 'Catalogue of the 
Havleian Maxiuscripts,' II, 584. It runs as follows : " I know not 
who this Poet was, but guess that he lived about the time of 
K. Henry VII., and that he mig^t have been a Northern man. He 



viii § 1. Early views regarding the Date arid Source of the Poem, 

useth many Saxon or obsolete Words, and very often delighted him- 
self (as did the Author of * Piers Plowman ') in the Chime of words 
beginning with the same letter, as (that I may give one example) 
*For welle the wiste withouten wene,' fol. 117^ I suppose he 
enlarged upon the story (which was too large before) in that he 
mentioneth the Tower of London, Syr Lucan de Botellere," etc. 

That the date which Wanley, the compiler of the above catalogue, 
here assigns to * Le Morte Arthur ' is too late was objected already by 
Bishop Percy in his * Eeliques of Ancient English Poetry ' i published 
in 1765. He bases his objection, however, on the absurd ground, that 
the formula with which our romance opens, " Lordingis that are leff 
And dere," seems to be quoted in * Syr Bevis.' Warton in his 
* History of English Poetry' (1774-1781) approached the subject 
with a knowledge of the Middle English romances, which neither 
Wanley nor Percy possessed, but in classing^ the poem with the 
work of the " nameless minstrels who probably flourished before or 
alK>ut the reign of Edward II.," he makes the mistake of dating it too 
early. 

It is curious that liitson should have reverted to Wanley's 
erroneous view with regard to the date. In the brief passage dealing 
with our romance in the preface of his 'Ancient English Metrical 
liomances,'^ after speaking in uncomplimentary fashion of Percy's 
views on this subject, he says that it " is in fact nothing more than 
part of the * Morte Darthur ' of Caxton turned into easy alternate 
verw, a very unusual circumstance, no doubt, in the time of Henry 
the Seventh, to which Wanley properly allots it. The antiquated 
words used by this versifier are manifestly affected. Caxton's book 
IB the only one known by the name of * La Morte D' Arthur,' which 
lie took as ho found it." 

Hie fame of the * Morte Darthur ' evidently blinded Ritson to the 
possibility that Malory instead of the old romancer may have been 
the real l)orrower — a view which has found favour in recent years — 
or the still further possibility, which we believe to deserve most con- 
sideration, that they borrowed from a common original. It is not at 
all likely, however, that Ritson made any detailed comparison of the 
two works with each other, to say nothing of the Old French ' Mort 
Artus.' 

Just three years later, in 1805, Ellis in his * Specimens of Early 

^ See the edition of this work by A. Schroer, II, 551. Berlin, 1893. 

'^ See the revised edition, II, 190. London, 1871. 

3 See the revised edition by Edmund Goldsmid, p. 56. Edinburgh, 1884. 



i 



I 1, Tht Eoxbii7'ffhe Club Ediiion, mid Ih\ FumivaWs. ix 

English Metrical Romances/ I, 308, in commenting on the ahove 
passage in Ritson'a Preface remarks that our romance " differs most 
essentially from Malory's work, which was a mere compilation ; 
whilst it follows, with tolerable exactness, the Erunch Romance of 
'Lancelot/^ and its phraseology which perfectly resembles that of 
Chester and other authors of the fifteenth centnry, Ijetmys no marks 
of affectation/' ^ We shall see later on how these statements of Ellis 
also need correction. It was he, however, that first made the story 
of the Harleian * Morte Arthur ' accessible to readers generally, for on 
pp. 328-387 of his first volume ho gives a full outline of our romance 
with occasional specimens of the original text» 

At last in 1819 the romance was printed for the lioxburghe 
Club at the cost of Thomas Ponton, In this edition the tj-^pe is 
black letter, and there is no pagination. As a matter of fact, how- 
ever, the text covers one hundred and twenty-nine pages, and the 
glossary which is added covers four. There is, moi^over, a facsimile 
prefixed of the two different hands which appear in our copy of the 
poem, and on the title*page a design ** which represents the intrusion 
of Sir Agravaine and his companions on the slumbers of the guilty 
pair and the punishment inflicted by Sir Launcelot on their 
temerity." 

A list of the mistakes in the Roxburghe edition noted by IL F. 
Weymouth appeared in the * Transactions of the Philological Society 
for 1860-61/ pp. 279-281, but the romance was not repubhshed 
until 1864, when Dr. Furnivall through the firm of Macmillan 
and Co. brought out the very attractive edition which has since 
generally superseded that of the Roxbui"ghe Club. It is almost 
needless to say that there are very few errors in Dr. Furnivairs text, 
and that his glossary marks a great advance over that which is con- 
tained in the edition of 1819, I^Ioreover, the discussion of the dialect 
and metre of the poems in the }^reface to his edition is still of interest. 
Time has dealt more hardly, however, with the prefatory essay on the 
Arthurian legend by Mr. Herbert Coleridge which follows immediately 
on that discussion. 

In the present edition I have eiideiivoui-ed to lay before the 
reader all the facts of importance which relate to the dialect, date and 
metre of the poem. I have, moreover, investigated witli a groat deal 

' That this atatcinetit is not conect was pointed out already by Sir F. 
Madd^a in the latf odnction to Ma ' 8yr Gawayne * (published for the Ba»na' 
tyatj Club. London, 1839). See p. xxii, note. 

'-^ Sec also pp. 327 f. of the same volume. 



X § 1. Differences between the present and Dr. FurnivaUs Edition. 

of care the question of the source of the romance and its relation to 
Sir Thomas Malory's famous work, and I hope that I have been able 
to put these matters at last in their true light. I have still further 
endeavoured to bring the glossary up to the level of present know- 
ledge, and I have also laboured by repeated collations to correct 
whatever errors had crept into Dr. Furnivairs text. The most 
frequent differences between the text of his edition and my own are 
in letters at the beginning of lines and in c's at the end of words. It 
is not always easy in our MS. to say whether the initial letter is 
intended as a capital or not, and, on the other hand, a good many of 
the e's used in Dr. Furnivairs edition for indicating the cross of pre- 
ceding double I or the curl of preceding d and r were left unitalicised 
by mistake. The list, however, of even these unimportant differences 
is not long. The following are the only instances in which mistakes 
of reading in Dr. Furnivairs edition affect the sense (I place his read- 
ing first and the corrected reading after) : 497, Sute-Sitte ; 1 324, hyr- 
hym; li55, not-non; 1617, Atmuncement-Atiauntement ; 2663, ower- 
euer; 2912, grj/fehj-gi^ysehj ; 3206, tlie-tho ; 3326, prices-princes; 
3il9, Refte-Reste;^ 3468,&e-me; 3759, the-tho ; 3S2Q, tJie-tho. It 
should perhaps be noted also that the name of King Banndemagew 
is wrongly given in Dr. FumivalFs edition as Baundemorgew (1. 2564). 

In regard to the numbering of the lines, I have decided notwith- 
standing the new arrangement in eight-line stanzas to retain the 
numbering of Dr. Fumivall's edition. Any change in this matter 
would have rendered comparison between that and the present 
edition (including the discussions of language and metre in the 
prefaces) very diflScult, nor could Dr. Seyferth's dissertation, which 
contains a complete classification of the grammatical forms of our 
poem and is based on Dr. Fumivall's edition, have been used with- 
out very great inconvenience, if such a change had been made.*^ The 
numbering I have retained has at least the justification of represent- 
ing the actual number of lines in the only extant MS. of our poem 
plus an allowance for those which the missing leaf between leaf 102 
and leaf 103 contained. 

In the numbering he has adopted Dr. Furnivall makes such an 
allowance for the loss of " one or more leaves," so that in his edition, 
although the last line before the gap is numbered 1181, the first one 

^ The sense requires, however, Hefte^ so that I have adopted it in my text 
* Prof. W. W. Skeat says rightly, I think: "An old numbering, even if 
faulty, should be adhered to, where possible, for the sake of convenience of 
reference." ('Wars of Alexander,' Preface, p. xiii, E. E. T. S., 1886.) 



§ 1. Dr, Somvur's views concerning the Gap in the MS, xi 

after the gap is numbered 1318. As already stated, I have adhered 
to his numbering for the sake of convenience, but I think that he 
has assumed here a greater loss than actually occurred. Each side of 
a leaf in this part of the MS. contains, as has already been said, from 
thirty-nine to forty-six lines. Now, if one compares the Middle- 
English romance with the Old French Vulgate-Lancelot, it will be 
seen that very little is missing from the former at this place. 
Judging by this comparison, the missing passage would have included 
a description of the funeral of the Maid of Ascalot, and possibly ^ 
some of the details of Lancelot's sojourn in the forest. I do not 
believe, however, that any one who has made the comparison will 
regard it as probable that more than one leaf from the Harleian MS. 
is lost, and that would mean the loss of either ten or eleven stanzas 
(of eight lines each) plus the two lines which are missing in the MS. 
from the last stanza before the gap and the same number which are 
missing from the first stanza after the gap — so a total of either 
eighty-four or ninety-two lines. 

In a letter to the 'Academy' of November 15, 1890, the sub- 
stance of which he has repeated in a note to his * Studies on the 
Sources of the Morte Darthur' (pp. 11 f.), Dr. H. O. Sommer has 
argued that the gap in the Harleian MS. is after all only apparent, 
that as a matter of fact the leaves have simply been misplaced. To 
quote from the * Studies ' Dr. Sommer says : — 

" The gap which is caused by the deficiency of the leaf can be 
filled up as nearly as possible by 11. 832-951, which are, as above 
stated, misplaced. By transposing these lines into the gap after fol. 
102, the episode of * Guenevere and Mador de la Porte' becomes a 
complete whole, if we omit 11. 912-927 because they are to a certain 
extent repeated by 11. 1318-1331 (comp. e. g, 11. 916, 917, and 919 
to 11. 1318, 1320 and 1321), and also U. 928-951 as being an 
apparent contradiction to 11. 1467-1503. 

" How did this confusion arise 1 I venture to think that I can 
satisfactorily answer this question. The poet while transcribing the 
French prose into English verse, finding that he had so far abandoned 
his source that it was impossible for him to connect his narrative 

^ One has to remember that the Old French Vulgate-Lancelot is not the 
source of the Harleian romance, although their narratives are similar. The 
latter shows many transpositions of episoaes, as I have pointed out in ' Anglia/ 
xxiii, 87 ff., so that one cannot speak positively about this matter, and hence I 
have not tried to supply the missing portion of the story by extracts from the 
French romance. 



xii § 1. Beasom for rejecting Dr. Sommer's proposed Cfhanges. 

with the ensuing events, re-wrote a part of his work, and very likely 
marked the portions which he wished to be omitted. The scribes 
afterwards neglected or did not understand his indications, and so 
the Harl. MS. contains a certain portion twice which varied only in 
the end. Thus the folio missing after 102 evidently contained 11. 
832-911 + two lines rhyming with U. 1318 and 1319, and complet- 
ing 11. 1318-1323 to a stanza of eight lines — or eighty-two lines, the 
exact number of lines contained by several folios of the Harl. MS. 

" If these proposed emendations are accepted, the episode of 
'Guinever and Mador de la Porte' would consist of (1) 11. 832-910; 
(2) two lines + 1318-1671, and thus arranged would be in accord- 
ance with the account given of this episode by the various MSS. of 
the * Lancelot ' in the British Museum, and with that of Malory's 
*Le Morte Darthur,' book XVIII, chaps, iii to viii." 

With reference to all these arbitrary and complicated changes 
which Dr. Sommer proposes,^ I need only say that they are wholly 
uncalled for. The occasion for his proposing the transposition of 11. 
832 ff., as he says elsewhere in the note from which I have just been 
quoting, is that they interrupt " the episode of Lancelot and the Fair 
Maiden of Ascolot." But notwithstanding the erroneous statement 
in the last paragraph we find the same arrangement exactly in the 
Old French Vulgate-Lancelot, both in the printed texts and the 
British Museum MSS.^ — only in the Vulgate-Lancelot the narrative 
is broken by the insertion of still other material. One simply has to 
collate our poem with the Old French romance to convince oneself of 
the truth of this assertion, and it is difficult to see how Dr. Sommer 
could ever have proposed his rearrangement of the former, if he had 
really made this collation.^ 

Apart from the arrangement in stanzas the most notable differ- 
ence in appearance between the present edition and Dr. Furnivairs 
is due to the use of italicised e, which is made in the latter wherever 
the preceding double I has the cross-line drawn through it (ti) or the 
preceding d ot r ends with a flourish. In accordance with the practice 

^ Seyferth in his * Sprache und Metrik des mittelenglischen strophidchen 
Gedichtes, * Le Morte Arthur* und sein Verhaltniss zu * The Lyfe of Ipomydon * 
(Berlin, 1895), p. 74, accepts them without further examination. 

2 The MSS. break the episode of * Mador de la Porte ' even more than the 
printed text, inasmuch as they interrupt it also with the story of Lancelot's 
accidental wounding, and Bors' search for him. Cp. Additional MS. 10294, leaf 
64, col. 3— leaf 65, col. 2. 

3 What the order of incidents is in the Vulgate-Lancelot as compared with 
the Harleian romance, I have set forth in my article in * Anglia,' xxiii, pp. 83 f. 



§ 2. Dr. Sommer\ views concerning the Sources of the Poem, xiii 

of the Early English Text Society, a special type has been, of course, 
employed in the present edition to reproduce these peculiar forms, 
and also m and n with the flourish. 

I have moreover expanded the MS. contraction *w** into with, 
instead. of icyth, which Dr. Eumiyall adopts in his edition. ^ The 
matter is of no great importance, but where the uncontracted form is 
used in the MS., with and loithe greatly preponderate over loj/th and 
mjthe. I find indeed loyth only once, 1. 99, and wythe only three 
times, 11. 1963, 2447, 2625, whereas with occurs five times, 11. 45, 
51, 842, 1606, 2127, and withe eighteen times, 11. 955, 1638, 1642, 
1723, 1778, 1820, 2031, 2101, 2155, 2159, 2181, 2307, 2442, 2464, 
2535, 2552, 2577, 2602. Nearly all these uncontracted forms occur 
at the beginning of lines.^ 

§ 2. SOURCES. 

It will have been observed from the above section that both 
RitsQn and Ellis hazarded suggestions regarding the source of our 
romance, and the same is true of still other scholars of later date. 
This question, however, was first discussed in detail by Dr. H. Oskar 
Sommer in the third volume of his edition of Malory's^ *Morte 
Darthur* (London, 1889-91), especially pp. 249 ff. Nevertheless in 
his discussion Dr. Sommer in the main simply develops suggestions 
of earlier scholars, for the most part ill-founded, with reference to 
the source of our romance and its relation to the other Death of 
Arthur romances. For instance, his notion that the portion of our 
romance which follows the gap in the Harleian MS. is the original of 
the latter part of Malory is derived from Branscheid (* Anzeiger ' to 
*Anglia,' viii (1885), 220), and the further notion that the Old 
French Vulgate-Lancelot constitutes the source of the Harleian 
* Morte Arthur ' down to the gap seems a partial and ill-considered 

^ The late Prof. Eoelbing expands also by loUhj in his edition of * The Lyfe 
of Ipomydon/ which is contained in the same MS. as our poem, having been 
copied by the same scribe that copied 11. 1-1091 of * Le Morte Arthur.* 

^ It should perhaps be added that at the beginning of certain divisions of the 
story {e. g. 424, 832, etc.) the scribes left space for the illumination of the initial 
letters, although they were never actually illuminated. The initial letters in 
guch cases are small letters, but with reference to the scribes' intention I have 
represented them in this edition, as they were in Dr. Furnivall's, by large, 
heavily leaded capitals. 

* I have confined myself in the following to a discussion of the immediate 
sources of our romance. The ultimate sources I expect to discuss in an edition 
of the Old French * Mort Artus ' (the last branch of the prose * Lancelot du Lac *) 
which I am now engaged in preparing. 



xiv § 2. Soitrces. A Discussion of I^r, Sonimer's views. 

adoption of Ellis' erroneous view, cited above, with regard to the 
relation of our poem and the old French romance.^ 

In an article which appeared in * Anglia,* xxiii (1900), pp. 67 ff.,^ 
I submitted Dr. Sonimer's discussion to a detailed examination, and 
succeeded, I hope, in fixing the true relations to each other of the 
Harleian *Morte Arthur,' Malory's work, and the Old French 
Vidgate-Lancelot. The conclusions of this article I will summarise as 
follows, referring the reader for the full argument'to the article itself : 

I. Dr. Sommer wavers between two opinions, (1) that the portion 
of the Harleian romance after the gap in the MS. is the original of 
the corresponding portion of Malory's * Morte D'Arthur ' ; (2) that 
this part of the Harleian romance and the corresponding portion of 
Malory are derived from a common source. The second of these 
views, however, is evidently the correct one,^ only it should be recog- 
nised that the poet of the Harleian romance does not begin to draw 
from the same source as Malory just after the gap in the MS. (1. 1318), 
but somewhat later (I. 1672), or to state the matter conversel}', it is 
only the twentieth and twenty-first books of Malory which are drawn 
from the same source as the latter part of the metrical romance, not 
any portion of the eighteenth. 

The following passages in Malory, which have nothing corre- 
sponding in the English metrical romance, show that he was not 
dependent on the latter. The citations are from Sommer's edition 
(vol i.), London, 1889-91. 

1. The long conversation between Lancelot and Guinevere when 
the former has been espied in the Queen's chamber (pp. 801-802). 

2. The latter part of Lancelot's speech to Agravain and his 
knights whilst Lancelot is still in the Queen's chamber, together 
with the reply of Agravain and Mordred (pp. 802-803). 

3. Lancelot's parting with Guinevere after he has slain Agravain 
and his knights (p. 803). 

^ Dr. Furnivall devotes very little space to the discussion of sources, and 
with regard to the relation of our romance to Malory, he seems to have remained 
in doubt as to whether the latter was dependent on the former or whether both 
were derived from a common original. He noticed, however, correctly that the 
Harleian romance could not have been based on what is known as the Yulgate- 
Lancelot. See Preface to his edition, pp. xvi f. 

2 The full title is: *The Middle English metrical romance, **Le Morte 
Arthur" (Harleian MS. 2252) : its sources and its relation to Thomas Malory's 
** Morte Darthur."' 

3 E. Wechssler has adopted it from Sommer in his * Ueber die verschiedenen 
Radaktionen des Robert von Borron zugeschriebenen Graal-Lancelot-Cyklus * 
(Halle, 1895), p. 36. 



§ 2. Sottrces, The relation of the Poem to Malory's last two Books, x v 

4. Lancelot's interview with the knights who assemble to join 
him after the affair with Agravain (pp. 804-807). 

5. The latter part of Arthur's speech on his being told that 
Guinevere has been carried off, and that his knights have been slain 
(pp. 811-812). 

6. Lancelot's long speech in excuse of himself when he brings 
Guinevere back (p. 824). 

7. Lancelot's consultation with his knights before leaving Arthur's 
kingdom (pp. 828-829). 

8. Lancelot's consultatipn with his knights before going out to 
meet Gawain at the siege of Benwyk (p. 834). 

9. Gawain's death-bed conversation with Arthur and his letter to 
Lancelot (pp. 841-843). 

10. Lancelot's speech on hearing of the revolt of Mordred 
(p. 852). 

11. The visit of Lancelot to Gawain's tomb (p. 853). 

12. The warning which Lancelot receives in a vision to go to 
Guiuevere, together with her death and burial (pp. 856-858). 

13. Hector's lament over Lancelot (p. 860). 

There is, furthermore, nothing in the Old French Vulgate- 
Lancelot to correspond to the above passages, except in the case of 
those numbered 6 and 9, and even in these cases there is no direct 
dependence. Nevertheless, these passages 6 and 9 and many others 
of less extent show that there is a connection of some sort between 
Malory and the Old French romance, and all the difficulties of the 
situation are best explained, if we assume that the author of the i 
Middle English romance and Malory drew from a common source, 
which in its turn was a modification of the Old French Vulgate- 1 
Lancelot. The similarities and occasional coincidences of phraseology 
which one observes in comparing Malory and the Middle English 
metrical romance are only such as must occur where two writers are 
following closely the same original.^ 

1 In his selections from *Morte Darthur ' (Boston, 1897), pp. 305 ff., Dr. W. 
E. Mead has discussed this question from the point of view of pnraseologv alone, 
without makins the investigation as to source. His conclusions agree witn mine. 
W. W. Newell, who in his * King Arthur and the Table Round ' (London, 
1897), ii, pp. 201-239, and pp. 262 f., has given an abstract of our romance, 
remarks, p. 262 : * The exquisitely beautiful work of the beginning of the fifteenth 
century (?) depends on the French prose romance, but with variations ; the 
writer perhaps obtained his material from oral recitation, and the poem may not 
have hieen written, but only recited, and recorded by another hand at a date 
considerably after the time of its composition." After the discussion in the 
text, I do not believe that it is necessary to consider this statement more 
particularly. 

MORTE ARTHUR. h 



xvi § 2. The Source of Lhies 1318-1671. 

II. a. As already stated, it is not at 1. 1318 that the poet of 
the Harleian romance began to use the same source as Malory, but 
at 1. 1672. The lines that lie between (1318-1671) deal with the 
episode of Mador de la Porte. Now, apart from the very important 
difTerence that in Malory this episode occurs at a different point in 
the order of the narrative, the chief variations between the account of 
these incidents in our metrical romance as compared with Malory arc 
as follows : — 

1. We have in MH. (the romance of the Harleian MS.) two 
separate appeals of Guinevere to Bors before he consents to defend 
her, viz. 11. 1340 ff. and 1422 ff., whereas in Maloiy there is only 
one (pp. 731 f). 

2. In MH. (1357 ff.) the Queen also appeals to Gawain, to which 
there is nothing to correspond in Malory. 

3. The circumstances of Lancelot's meeting with Bors in the 
forest are different in the two works. In MH. Bors and Lionel 
have gone forth to offer up their orisons at a chapel in the forest 
before the battle (1459 ff.) and meet Lancelot riding there by chance. 
In Malory (p. 732) Bors, who is alone, goes forth on purpose to seek 
Lancelot. 

4. The scene and speech of the Queen in her chamber alone when 
she laments the absence of Lancelot, IL 1404 ff. !Not in Maloiy, 
pp. 730 ff. 

5. In MH. they sit at the "borde" before the battle (1504 ff.), 
of which there is nothing in Malory (pp. 732 f.). 

6. In MH. both Mador and Lancelot are unhorsed in their 
encounter (1584) ; in Malory only Mador, whilst Lancelot of his own 
accord after the first encounter descends from his steed (p. 735). 

7. In MH. Mador asks Lancelot to reveal to him his name 
(1604 ff.); there is nothing similar to this scene in Malory (pp. 
736 f.). 

8. In MH. the squires are put to the torture, and in this way the 
true author of the death of Mador's brother is forced to confess, his 
crime (1648 ff.). In Malory it is the "damoysel of the lake," 
JS^ymue, who reveals the criminal (p. 737). 

Kow in regard to all the points just enumerated, in which MH. 
differs from Malory, with the exception of the last, which is found 
only in MH., a comparison shows that it stands in close relation to 
the Yulgate-Laacelot, so that t)i«Mi ean be no doubt that these 
features ol the IP' md ultimately from that 



§ 2. Errors of Dr. Sommer regarding these Lines, xvii 

work (or its source), although several of them have undergone trans- 
position or alteration in the process. In fact, whilst differing 
markedly from Malory, as the above enumeration sufficiently shows, 
the relation to the Vulgate-Lancelot is just the same as that of 
the whole preceding portion of the romance down to 1. 1318 — a 
relation not of direct dependence, but of ultimate derivation from it 
tlirough an intermediate version of the part of the Lancelot-story 
based on that romance (or its source) of the same general nature as 
the common source of MH., 11. 1672-3969, and the last two books of 
the * Morte Darthur.' ^ 

h. Dr. Sommer's view, then, that the lines which came just after 
the gap in the Harleian MS. are derived from a different source from 
the portion of the romance that precedes that gap is erroneous. But 
this erroneous view has led him (p. 250) to look for contradictions 
between these portions of our poem where none really exist. The 
only point of this kind he has cited which is really worth considering 
is that of the two accounts which Lancelot receives concerning Queen 
Guinevere's troubles over the poisoning of the Scottish knight — the 
one occurring before the gap, 11. 928 ff., and the other after, in 11. 
1467 ff. In the first case he hears the story by general report whilst 
he is lying ill in the forest under the care of a hermit, and in the 
second he hears it from Bors after he has recovered and is riding 
about. There is, however, really no inconsistency here, for in the 
Vulgate - Lancelot also, at exactly corresponding places in the 
narrative, Lancelot is told twice of these events. The apparent 
inconsistency is simply due to the fact that the author of the 
English romance has neglected to make Lancelot remark in the 
second instance that he had heard of the incident before.^ The 
author of the French romance had properly made him say this. The 
awkwardness, however, of the English poet in this passage is nothing 
as compared with that 'which he has been guilty of in leaving the 
cause of Lancelot's iUness unaccounted for in II. 933 ff. The last 
time we had heard of Lancelot before, viz. in 11. 780 ff., he was in 
perfect health. As a matter of fact, the poet in this instance went 
so far in the condensation of the story of his source that he has 

* The fact that we have after the gap Bors, and Estor (prevailingly), as the 
forms for the proper names which appear as Boerte and Ector in the earlier part 
of our text is due no doubt to a preference of the second scribe who began 
writing at 1. 1092. As it happens, the names do not occur between 1. 1092 and 
the gap. 

* As far as Lancelot's inquiry on meeting Bors, 1. 1482, is concerned : " how 
now farys my lady bryght,*' this is purely conventional. Such conventional 
inquiries are especially common in ballad literature. 



xviii § 2. The Source of Lines 1-1671. 

become unintelligible without reference to that source. If we refer 
to the corresponding place in the Vulgate-Lancelot (which, though 
not the actual source of MH., undoubtedly gives us the main outline 
of the story of that source), we learn that the cause of Lancelot's 
illness is an accidental wound, which he has received from one of the 
king's huntsmen.^ 

IIL The source of the Harleian romance from 1. 1672 to the end 
is unquestionably the same as that of Malory's twentieth and twenty- 
first books. Now, what is the source of the portion which goes 
before 1. 1672 ? As I have already had occasion to say in another 
connection, the source of the earlier portion — from the beginning of 
the poem down to 1. 1672 — ^was a modification of the Vulgate- 
Lancelot different from the common source of MH., 11. 1672-3969, 
and Malory's last two books, although of the same general nature. 
For this earlier portion we have no parallel version as we have for 
the later portion in Malory's last two books, but a comparison with 
Malory and the Vulgate-Lancelot shows that the author of the 
Harleian romance in this later portion followed very closely the 
source used by himself and Malory, and there is no reason to suppose 
that his method of dealing with his source in the earlier portion was 
different. Making the comparison for the later portion, viz. that 
which extends from 1. 1672 to the end, we find that wherever the 
poem of the Harleian MS. has any incident not in Malory, some- 
thing parallel to it may still be found in the Vulgate-Lancelot, 
showing that in such instances the poem represents their common 
original more accurately than Malory. ^ 

The fact that the Harleian romance and Malory take up the 
incidents in this later portion of the narrative in exactly the same 
order shows still further that the Middle English poet followed his 
source closely. There is only one transposition, indeed, of any 
importance which he has allowed himself, as a comparison with 
Malory shows, and the reason in that case is obvious. I refer to 
the end of the story, whore the author, being in a hurry to conclude 
his poem, suppresses the story of how Lancelot and his fellows went 
to Almesbury and fetched the dead Queen's body to Glastonbury 
(Malory, Book XXI, Ch. xi), but further on (11. 3954-3961), after 
describing Lancelot's death, relates in the briefest way that his 
companions did this. 

1 Cp. Additional MS. 10294, leaf 64, col. 3— loaf 64, back, col. 3. 
^ I have discussed this at great length in * AngUa,* xxiii, pp. 96 fif. 



§ 2. Belation of LI. 1-1181 to Malory & the Vulgate-Lancelot, xix 

I repeat then that since onr author can be shown to hare followed / 
his Qiiginal doeelj in the only part of his work where the means of / 
ccmtrol exist, there can be no reasonable doubt that he did the same 1 
thing in the earlier part too, where such means are wanting. 

I hare already pointed out differences between ^laloiy and the 
poem for the lines after the gap in the MS. down to L 1671, which 
show that the two are independent of each other in that part of the 
narratiTe,^ and I will now do the same thing for the portion before 
^® 8AP9 ^ 1-1181. In all of the points of difference I am about to 
cite there is an agreement between the Harleian romance and the 
Vulgate-Lancelot as against Malory. I follow Dr. Sommer's enumer- 
ation (pp. 249 f.) — only I leave out the first point he makes as being 
incorrect 

1. In the Harleian poem ( = MH., U. 63 ff.) when Arthur has 
left for Winchester, Lancelot comes to Guinevere with the intention 
of taking leave and going to the tournament, whereas in Malory 
Guinevere suggests that he should go. 

2. The armour of Lancelot is red in MH. (1. 176), and the colour 
of the sleeve is not mentioned, whereas in Malory the sleeve is 
red and the colour of the armour is not specified (except in the case 
of the shield, which is white). 

3. Lancelot in MH. (IL 245 ff. and 321 ff ) stays both before and 
after the tournament at the house of his host's sister, whereas in 
Malory he stays before the tournament at the house of a rich 
** burgeis," and after it, at a hermitage. 

4. When Lancelot hears of the new tournament to wliich lie 
cannot go, in MH. (IL 382 ff ) his wound breaks open from tlii^ 
violence of his emotion; in Malory he overstrains himself by 
attempting to ride. 

5. The maiden's letter which in MH. (IL 1078 ff.) repioachi^M 
Lancelot with cruelty, does not ^ m in Mjslory, 

6. Whilst in MH. (IL 952 ff.) Lancelot is s^jtmii from oouii wJui/ 
the maiden's body arrives, he is present in Malory. 

On the other hand. Dr. Sommer's assertion (p. 24V; iimi iIpc 
sequence of incidents in MH. and the Vulgate-Lafi^^il'/t u i^ 
same is erroneous. ''A minute examination of th^^ tlr^i ^juit f*t 
MH.," he says (p. 250), " discloses several points whi^b do turl Ai^ibwc 
witti P.L. (= the 1513 print of the Vulgate-Lano<^>/i/, Ut Oi*r 
are of very secondary importance and can be exyhitn-'i .fiOio/it 
1 See p. xvj, above. 



XX § 3. Variotcs opinions as to the Dialect of the Poem. 

exception as the poet's modifications of the source in order to adapt 
his material to the exigencies of his metre ; thus in his tendency to 
avoid proper names, he gives no names for the localities where the 
events he relates take place." These words, however, give an utterly 
false idea of the real relation of MH. and P.L. As a matter of fact, 
when we compare the former with the latter, we discover that the 
English poem exhihits numberless transpositions of material, and 
indeed in the part covered by 11. 504-831, the two works are so 
unlike that it is difficidt to keep up any comparison at all. I have set 
forth the whole matter, however, in great detail in * Anglia,' xxiii, 
pp. 87 flf., and must refer the reader to that place for the proof of my 
assertion. It is only in the part of the narrative, covered by 11. 
832-1181, that the English and French romances run closely together. 
To conclude, as I have already said more than once, the source of 11. 
1-1671 is not the Vulgate-Lancelot, but some modification of the 
Vulgate-Lancelot (or, possibly, its source) no longer in existence. 

§ 3. DIALECT AND DATE. 

The dialect of our poem has been generally recognized as Midland 
by all recent students^ who have expressed themselves on the subject 
The only question has been whether the language was that of the 
East or "West Midland. In his edition of our poem^ Dr. Fumivall 
adopts the view of the late Dr. Eichard Morris to the effect that it is 
East Midland, but the value of Dr. Morris' conclusions is impaired by 
his failure to distinguish between the language of the poet and that of 
the scribes. On the other hand. Professor Alois Brandl in the Intro- 
duction to his edition of ' Thomas of Erceldoune ' ^ (p. 55) speaks of 
our poem as "West Midland, and Dr. Seyferth in his dissertation * 
(p. 57) has since assigned it more definitely to the Northern border of 
the West Midland region. I believe that Dr. Seyferth's view of the 
^\ origin of our poem is the correct one. But let us see what is the 
evidence of the forms {i, e. those fixed by rime) in regard to the 
language of the poet as distinguished from that of the scribes.^ As 
Dr. Seyferth has remarked, we have in our poem as characteristic of 

^ Wanley's opinion, which I have quoted above (p. vii) in another connection, 
has of course no value. 

2 See Preface, pp. xiv f. » Published at Berlin in 1880. 

* For the title of this study, which is an enlargement of a dissertation pre- 
sented previously for the doctorate, see above, p. xii, note 1. 

* Dr. Seyferth, pp. 54 ff., has alreadv discussed the question of dialect very 
fully. What I have to say here is in tne main based on the materials he has 
collected in his dissertation. 



§ 3. Phonological Peculiarities of the Text. xxi 

a Midland document a mixture of Northern and Southern peculiarities 
of speech. To take some of the common dialect tests, O.E. a yields 6 
as a rule in our text Cp. the rimes, 761 ff. stone : tome : mone : 
none, 976 ff. tho :go : so : therto, 1073 ff. woo : goo : ther-to : fo, 
1112 ff. thoo : do : therto : so, 2803 ff. bone (= request) : done : 
none : one, 2938 ff. two : go : thro : to, 2898 ff. none ( = noon) : 
vppon : A-none : one (cp. also 1792 ff.), 3678 ff. doo : 7no, On the 
other hand, where the a was followed by r, we have resulting some- 
times d and sometimes 6, but the former much more frequently. 
For S cp. 1169 ff. sore : more : bore (= bom), 3715 ff. more : ore : 
therfore : «ore. On the other hand, for a cp. the rime of mare with 
fare, 434, 2040, 2052, 2111, 2238, 2601, 3769, 3837, with care, 
557, 685, 687, 771, 1091, 1125, 1426, 3605, 3737, 3760; again of 
sare with /are, 511, 802, 2046, 2117, 2216, 2244, 2442, 2458, 2501, 
2597, 2801, 3835, with care, 559, 681, 3599, 3756, with hare, 3069. 
Notice besides that a is kept in hare, 951, riming with /are, and with 
care, 951, 2101, 2214, and 2606. 

O.E. Jeer, toderon show as their vowel in our text sometimes a, 
sometimes e, and wderon shows in two instances also 6, viz. in 1172 
and 2099. In both of these instances the scribe has written were, 
but the rime with bore (= bom), 1174, 2101, shows that the original 
form was wore. For examples of there as fixed by rime see 552 ff. 
(fere : there : were : here), 641 ff. (Zere ; were : here : there), 720 ff. 
{there : nere : hrere : chere), 825 ff. {there : chere : nere : hei'e), 
1721 ff. {here : th&t*e :*swere : yere), etc.; iovthare cp. 507, 2042, 
2452, 2577 (: fare), 775, 804, 979, 1422 (: care), etc. On the 
other hand, for were cp. 3 (: dere), 159 (: sopere : hachelere : dere), 
413 (:/ere), 435 (: d&i-e : were), 480 (: chere), 556 (: /iere : /ere), 643 
(^•e : lere), 2224 (were : /ere), 2766 ( : dere), and 3238 (: Boteler : 
here : fere); and for w?are cp. 220 (: fare), 345, 351 (: fare), 769 
(: care), 949 (/are : care), 1095 {care : 5are, adj.), 2115 {ifare), 2797 
(: fare), etc. In addition to these words notice that whar in 3603 
stands in rime with care. The mixture of the a, e, and o forms in these 
words is characteristic of the Northern and North Midland districts.^ 

W.S. ea before Z + consonant yields sometimes e and sometimes 
o. For the former cp. 920, 1928, 2917 {welde : shelde), 3405 {feld : 
weld), and for the latter 712 {folde : golde : wolde), 803, 3917 

* See on this subject F. J. Curtis, * Anglia,' xvi, 449 f. It is often impossible 
to say which of these variant fonns our poet used in a particular case, so, on the 
whole, I have thought it better to follow Dr. Fumivall in leaving the MS. forms 
unchanged. 



xxii § 3. Inflexional Fonns. 

(wolde : holde), 1705, 2302, 2548, 3589 {holde : icolde\ 3302, 3686 
{holde : molde). 

As regards the representatives of O.E. y (the result of mutation), 
we have both i (appearing often as y) and e in our text, but the 
evidence under this heading is not very important, especially since 
in the case of sounds that, comparatively speaking, differ so little it is 
impossible to say how far the forms even in rime are due to the 
scribes. 

Looking now at the evidence of the inflexional forms, we observe 
as characteristic of the North and Korth Midland the present participle 
in -and, which occurs three times in rime, viz. 2365 flf., lande : gar- 
lande : hande : synghand] 2661 fif., honde : stonde : londe : lyvande, 
and 2834, stonde : londe : hond : levande. Indeed, the only present 
participle in -ynge fixed by rime is lasfynge, 3676, which rimes with 
hynge, thijnge, and sokerynge (verbal noun). 

The 2 sing, of the present indicative ends in -ys in the only 
instance where it is fixed by rime, namely, in 1572, gredys riming 
with dedijs : nedys : ^wedys. One is tempted to cite three more 
such forms in our poem which do not occur in rime, especially as 
two of them occur in the portion of the text which was written by a 
scribe evidently more Southern than the poet, I mean, viz. semys 
\Q5fpre8on8 1853, lydenes 2402, but this is hardly safe. Similarly 
there is but one instance in our poem of the 2 sing. pret. indie, stand- 
ing in rime, and that like the 2 pres. indie, points to the !N'orth, viz. 
3430 Radde (N.B. without the inflexional -est) riming with sprad 
(3 sg. pret. ind.) and hystadde.^ The evidence here is, of course, 
rather scanty, but as far as it goes it points to North or North 
Midland. 

In the only instances where the 3 sing. pres. indie, occurs in rime 
it ends in 8, viz. tase, 956, has, 958 {loas : case). These forms like 
the others cited point to the North or North Midland. 

The forms of the 3 pi. pres. indie, which are fixed by rime end 
in -e (doubtless mute), see 1685, here 1733, ri/de 2569 — that is to 
say, are Midland in characjier. (The forms dwelle 232, and hyde 
243, probably also belong here, though they may be subjunctives.) 
We have besides occurring not in rime, but probably due to the poet 

^ Dr. Seyferth has pointed out, moreover, that wherever 2 sing. pret. indie, 
forms in -wfc, -yaiifi) occur in our poem, even though not in rime, except in 1. 1155, 
—viz. in 1148, 1162, 1160, 2832, 3942, 3945, " verlangtder vers die dem norden 
eigene abwerfung der endung." This is certainly true from the point of view of 
strict regularity, yet I can't say that the change would improve the rhythm. 



§ 3. Inflexional Forms and Vocahulary. xxiii 

rather than to his more Southern scribe, the following instances of 
the 3 pi. pres. indie, ending in -s, viz. Imskes 2525, 2715; graythes 
2530, and has 2599. These forms are Northern or North Midland. 

To judge by the rimes the preterite form was was pronounced ices, as 
in many Northern texts (Barbour's * Bruce,' ' Sir Tristrem,' * Octavian 
B'). Only twice does it rime with a, namely, in 952, 1135. In all 
other places the pronunciation wes is required, viz. 274, 421, 994, 
998, 1514, 1717, 1863, 2349, 2518, 2730, 2955, 3559. 

It is to be noted that there are several instances of the inflected in- 
finitive fixed by rime in our text : sayney 861, 1028, 1106, 1130, 1587, 
etc.; slaym, 2410; sene., 1971, 2435, 2671, 3342; 1)ene, 1503, 1925, 
2022, 2268, 2284 ; done, 1122, 2068, 2805. On the other hand, the 
infinitive without ending is the rule, being so frequent as to need no 
illustration. The [infinitive ending i (y) from O.E. -ian (second 
class of weak verbs), which is common in the South, is not found in 
our text. 

The past participle, drayne = (drawn), 859, 1997, 2164, 3014, 
3325, is also characteristic of the North (cp. *Sir Tristrem,' *Sir 
Degrevant,' * Octavian B '). For the rest, the ending '{e)n is found in 
the following forms fixed by rime: borne, 3115, 3335, 3553, 3741 ; 
lome, 3117, 3331, 3551,. 3739; forlome, 3209; sene, 522, 550, 691, 
etc.; bene, 524, 1588, 1734, etc.; done, 370; goone, 3113. On the 
other hand, we have as past part, he, 3641 ; agoo, 149 ; take, 582. — 
The prefix -i of the past participle is found only in the following 
cases : imanased, 479 ; {wounded, 934 ; ihente, 1035 ; ibrowghie, 
1093; idlghte, 610, 970, 972 ; irade, 2651. In each of these cases 
the prefix, being required by the metre, is evidently due to the poet. 

The following words also indicate Northern or North Midland 
origin: /ow« (= few), 2378, and sitte (sytte), 497, 870, from O.N. 
syti (= sorrow). Somewhat less significant are dede (= death), 911, 
and tin{= to), 191, 837, 1786, etc. Of more force, perhaps, is to in 
conjunctive use ( = until), 374, 3437, although from its nature it does 
not occur in rime. The words, sprente ( = spmng), 1846, 1949, 3357, 
etc.; glente, 3493; \)ro, 589, 1526, 2389, etc.; lai/ne, 989, 1108, 
2650, etc., belong also to the more Northern dialects.^ To these the 
words btisk and graytlie and bai/ne, all three of Scandinavian origin, 
should probably be added. 

As regards final e, of course, not all such -e's which we find in 

^ Cp. 6. Sarrazin*8 edition of * Octavian ' (Heilbronn, 1885), Introduction, 
pp. xxxvli f. 



xxiv § 3. Reasons f 01' assuming a Midland origin for the Poem. 

our text are due to the poet. Nevertheless, the rhythm constantly 
requires the pronunciation of the final -e. On the other hand, the 
following rimes seem to show that it was not always pronounced : 
1792ff. sane : vppon :fone : mone-, 2062 ff. come : sone : vppon : done) 
2445 ff. wone : on : mone : sone ; 146 ffl newe : show (for sTwwe) : 
heice : kneto ; 593 ff. sheice : knew : newe : dreice (in this instance, 
however, kneto may stand for knewe, the subj.) ; 2396 K he : me : 
the : bye ; 2126 ff. ascrye : by : why : cowardly ; 809 ff. day : atpay : 
Zay :i>%e (similarly 728 ff.) ; 2954 ff., Mordreid : rede ; 2653 ff, 
sped (p.p.) : wede : nede : Ze^. Especially frequent are the rimes of 
the pret. ind. mighte with knight, 161, 583, 616, 872, bright, 841, 
light, 583, 708, sight, 616. There is always the possibility of a 
slovenly rime in such cases, but on the whole it can hardly be 
doubted that our poet often did not sound his final Vs. 

It is a peculiarity of our text ^ that the rimes seem often to 
require as a plural form, knight (also once nght, 2720) as in 677, 
919, 925, 1048, 1480, etc. Such a plural form for this word, how- 
ever, as far as I am aware, is not found in any dialect, and one is at 
a loss to explain whether we have here simply an arbitrary change of 
the grammatical form for the sake of rime or whether the poet's own 
form was the usual knightis, so that in such cases we have simply 
bad rimes as in 812, nakyd : make; 529, lyff : swithe, etc. The 
latter is, of course, more likely. 

From the above it will be seen that the language of the poet as 
distinguished from that of the scribes abounds in peculiarities of the 
Northern dialect. The representation of O.E. a by 6 (except where 
r follows) everywhere in the forms fixed by rime, and still more the 
prevailing plural indie, endings in -e show, however, that the dialect 
is Midland.2 In the absence of marked distinctions between the 
East and "West Midland dialects ^ it is difficult to say to which group 
the language of our poet belonged, but in view of the form tase 
( = takes), to say nothing of the forms of the 2 sing. pres. indie, not in 
rime, the predominance of ande (not ende) as the pres. part, ending, 
and lastly in view of the fact that the 2 sing. pret. ind. seems to have 
ended like the first person, though only one of these forms is fixed 
by rime, the "West Midland seems more likely. We should accord- 

^ See the Preface to Dr. Fumivall's edition, p. xxiv, note. 

2 Moreover the infinitives in -n do not belong to strictly Northern dialects, 
nor do the past participles with prefix i. 

3 See on this subject Morsbach, * Mittelenglische Grammatik,' Halle, 1896, 
p. 15. 



§ 3. Conclimons as to Dialect and Date of the Poem, xxv 

ingly assign our poem to the Northern boundary of the I^orth-west 
Midland region. 

As regards the time that * Le Morte Arthur ' was composed, Dr. 
Seyferth has cited (p. 58), the occurrence in our text of the words 
fde, 6, 228, 2019, 2032, 2157, etc.; lede, 653, 2569; blee, 739, 3504, 
3779, 3896; and wynne ( = come), 1830, as proof that our poem was 
written before the end of the fourteenth century. Dr. Sarrazin has 
observed 1 that these words had disappeared even in the Northern 
dialects by the beginning of the fifteenth century. This would 
accord with the general condition of inflexions in our poem, so that 
one will hardly go wrong in placing our romance about the end of 
the fourteenth century.^ 

The language of the scribes like that of the author of our poem 
was Midland, of course, as our text shows. It is worthy of remark, 
however, that the second scribe shows more Southern peculiarities 
than could be attributed, as is evident from the above analysis, to the 
poet himself, or, we may add, than are found in the work of the 
first scribe. Thus in the portion of our text written by the first 
scribe we find all forms of the plural pres. indie, ending in -e, where- 
as we have in that written by the second scribe besides these prevail- 
ing forms in -e ten instances of plural pres. indie, in -en and two in 
-eth. Again, the portion written by the first scribe shows forty-six 
forms in s for the 3 sing. pres. ind. and twenty-four in th, whilst 
that written by the second scribe shows fifty-five instances of each. 
It accords with this that the first scribe uses for the pronoun of the 
third person plural exclusively the forms theym, theniy their, there, 
whereas the second scribe has sixty instances of hem to thirty-one of 
theym and them, and seventeen of her and hyr to twenty-eight of 
their and there,^ 

§ 4. METRE. 

* Le Morte Arthur ' is composed in stanzas of eight lines with four 
accents to the line. The prevailing rhythm is iambic and the usual 
rime-order is ab ab ab ab. This form of stanza is found in lyrical 
poetry, as for instance in * Specimens of Lyrical Poetry,' ed. T. "Wright, 

1 * Englische Studien,' vii, 137. 

* Brandl in his article on Middle English Literature, Paul's * Grundriss II, 
Abtheilung I,' p. 708, discusses our romance under the heading of fifteenth 
century literature, but says nothing specifically about the date. 

« C^. Seyferth, pp. 58 f.— also pp. 43, 61 f. I don't think that the 
evidence is sufficient for us to assign these scribes so exactly as Seyferth does to 
the East and South-east Midland respectively. 



xxvi § 4. Metre, Defective Stanzas and inexact Bimes. 

London, 1842, p. 99 ; * Alya Cantica,' 'Political, Religious and Love 
Poems,' ed. F. J. Fumivall, E. E. T. S. 1886, p. 109), and the first of 
'Laurence Minot's Poems' (ed. J. Hall, Oxford, 1897). It occais, 
moreover, sporadically in the * Chester Plays ' (cp. The Fall of 
Lucifer), and is the prevailing stanza form in the ' Legend of St 
Gregory' contained in the Auchinleck MS. (ed. Fritz Schulz, 
Konigsberg, 1876). The stanza was perhaps too exacting for the 
writers of romances^ — at least I know of no other romance which is 
written in it. The Prologue to * Thomas of Erceldoune' (see Brandl's 
edition, Berlin, 1880) furnishes the nearest approach to it, but only 
one of the three stanzas there conforms to the normal rime-order of 
the stanza in * Le Morte Arthur.' Even in our romance we have 
variations from this normal rime-order in the following stanzas : In 
St. 365, 398, 421, 445, 478 we have the rime-order ab ab ac ac; in 
St. 147, 372, ab ab ba ba ; in st. 1 ab ab cb cb.2 

It is to be noted, moreover, that st. 46, 177, 186 contain only 
seven lines, st. 187, 241, 291, 341, 393, 429, only six, and st. 462 
only four. In all these apparently defective stanzas the sense 
is complete in the text as it stands; nevertheless, it is probable 
that in each instance except the last the lines necessary to make 
up the full stanza were lost in copying. At the same time, it 
would not be remarkable if a medieval poet of the minstrel class in 
composing a poem which was intended practically only for recita- 
tion should occasionally omit a line or lines either through inad- 
vertence or through a momentary difficulty in supplying the full 
complement of lines. In the case of st. 462 especially, which 
contains only four lines, it seems to me in the highest degree un- 
likely that anything stood between 1. 3681 and 1. 3682. And if 
the poet has allowed himself here a stanza of four lines, why should 
he not allow himself occasionally a stanza of six lines at any rate ? 

The rimes in our poem are frequently inexact. Examples of some 
of the more pronounced instances which cannot be set down to the 
account of the scribes are as follows: 712 ff. lade : ledde : sade : 
glade ; 761 ff. stone : tome : mone : twne ) 808 fP. sake : lake : ndhyd : 
make] 2818 fp. Iiede : leiiyd : wavyd : levyd (though hede here may- 
be for heaved) ; 2979 ff. cojne : croivne : towne : howne; 3224 ff. dyde : 

^ Cp. on the subject of this stanza J. Schipper's *Altenglische Metrik* 
(Bonn, 1881), pp. 346 f. There are variations as to rime-order in the * Coventry 
Mysteries ' and the other poems which he cites. 

^ Seyferth (p. 69) proposes to get rid of some of these irregularities by 
changes in the text, but I don't think that thvia wanranted. 



§ 5. Authorship. Belation of our poem to 'Iponiedon B! xxvii 

stad'y 3288 ff. lese : cliese : pease : dayes, 3320 ff. caste : truste : fusfe : 
praste; 3392 ff. breste : lode : caste : creste. Many other instances of 
inexact correspondence of vowels in the rime might be cited, such as 
2810 ff. socoure : indure : stoure : coloure. There are also many 
instances where the consonants do not correspond ; e.g. 1380 ff. take : 
lake : make : shape (similar 1468 ff.) ; 368 ff. sone : done : mone : 
come (similar 2062 ff.); 2508 ff. by dene : hytwene : ^eme : by dene 
(similar 2669 ff.) ; 2660 ff. lieste : pees : resse : Zese (also 2684 ff.) ; 
3858 ff. land : found : wode : stroiid (where the first two words 
should no doubt be emended to lond -.fond) ; 3272 ff. spede : hede : 
lende : stede. Of especially frequent occurrence in our poem is the 
riming of /(/), th and gh (labial, dental and guttural spirants) with 
one another — so of ff with th in 529 ff. lyff : swithe : Mthe : blithe, 
and similarly, 632 ff., 865 ff., 1561 ff., 1609 ff., 2015 ff., 3566 ff., 
3598 ff., 3699 ff.— of / with gh in 840 ff. thought : wrought : brought : 
lofte (similar 1966 ff.)— of th and gh in 2677 ff. incmghe : treuthe : 
boughe : inoghe. 

I have already referred to the numerous instances where the 
plural of knight ^ also disturbs the rime. 

Finally it will be observed that our poet like most of the romance 
writers makes a large use of alliteration in addition to rime. Accord- 
ing to Dr. Seyferth's counting (p. 61) about forty-two per cent, of 
the lines of our poem show alliteration — in all but a few instances 
consonantal. 

§5. AUTHORSHIP. 

In a note to his discussion of the sources of Malory (p. 250, note 
2) Dr. Sommer has thrown out the suggestion that *Le Morte Arthur' 
is by the same author as * The Lyfe of Tpomydon,* also contained in 
MS. Harley 2252. The only reasons he offers, however, for this 
supposition are (1) that the * Lyfe of Ipomydon,' or * Ipomedon B,' 
as it is generally called, is in the same handwriting as the first part 
of *Le Morte Arthur' (11. 1-1091); (2) that the relation of * Le 
Morte Arthur,' to the Prose-Lancelot (the source of *Le Morte 
Arthur/ IL 1-1181, as Dr. Sommer holds) is the same as that of 
* Ipomedon B ' to its source. With reference to the first of these 
points, the fact that the same scribe copied the two romances is, of 
course, no argument whatever for identity of authorship ; and with 
lefeience to the second, since I have shown, as I believe I have, that 

^ See note above, p. xxiv. 



xxviii § 5. Differences of Vocabulary & Forms between the 2 Poems — 

the Prose-Lancelot in its existing form is not the source of any — 
part of ' Le Morte Arthur,* there is no basis of analogy in this case. 

One may add, moreover, on this subject that apart from the 
diflference in metrical form (* Ipomedon B ' is in short rimed couplets) 
there are marked differences of style between the two works. In the 
case of ' Ipomedon B ' the narrative is much more condensed than in 

* Le Morte Arthur.' Then, the latter poem abounds in the usual 
formulas of the romances to a far greater degree than ' Ipomedon B.' 
Is not to Jiyde, etc., are pressed into service by the author of ' Le 
Morte Arthur ' to an extent that is hardly exceeded in the case of 
any of the other Middle English romances, whereas such expressions 
are not particularly frequent in * Ipomedon B.' 

Dr. Paul Seyferth in his dissertation on our poem^ has still 
further called attention to the pretty frequent use which the author 
oP'J^ Morte Arthur' makes of the words layne (= deny) and thro 
( = bold, jfierce) in his rimes {layne thirteen times, thro twelve times), 
whilst these words do not occur at all in * Ipomedon B.' ^ He points 
out, moreover, that the form yode occurs in rime fourteen times in 

* Le Morte Arthur ' (yede occurs twelve times), but in * Ipomedon B ' 
does not occur at all (yede occurs eight times). Still further, the 
infinitive bene which occurs seven times in rhyme in *Le Morte 
Arthur' does not occur at all in * Ipomedon B,' and sene (infinitive) 
which occurs four times in rhyme in the former is not found at all 
in the latter (although it has se sixteen times). On the other hand, 
we find gone (infinitive) eleven times in the rhymes of * Ipomedon B' 
{go ten times), but only go (twelve times) in * Le Morte Arthur.'^ 

In conclusion, we may safely assume that a poem which is so 
completely in the usual romance style was the work of a professional 
minstrel. The fact which Dr. Seyferth points * out that there is no 
mention of minstrels in the poem cannot be allowed any weight as 
against the evidence of style. 

^ Sprache und Metrik des mittelenglischen strophischen Gedichtes * Le Morte 
Arthur' und sein Verhaltnis zu 'The Lyfe of Ipomydon,' Berlin, 1896, see pp. 
76 ff. 

2 Dr. Seyfertli's statistics regarding the relative occurrence of words of 
romance and Scandinavian origin in the two poems do not seem to me to have 
much force. 

3 Dr. Seyferth presents other statistics besides these, but the above points 
are the telling ones, as it seems to me. It is safer, perhaps, not to use the 
great number of examples of wes for was which he cites, since they are based on 
changes in the MS. readings which at best must remain uncertain, especially 
in view of our poet's tolerance for inexact rhymes. 

* Page 77. 



§ 6. The HarUian Romance & the alliterative 'Morte Arthure.' xxix 

§6. STYLE. 

Keaders generally will hardly go so far as Mr. W. W. Xewell in 
prononncing our poem an "exquisitely beautiful work,"i yet I 
should say for my own part that it is only the adverb which we 
have a right to demur to here. Our poet lays himself open to criticism 
most of all in the matter of rimes. As far as inexactness goes, he 
has, of course, suffered much at the hands of his scribes, yet there 
remain too large a niunber of instances which cannot thus be ex- 
plained away. Worse than this, however, is his constant use of the 
same rime-words, in which respect, owing to the exigencies of his 
eight-lined stanza, no doubt, he seems to me to sin beyond what we 
find elsewhere even in the Middle English romances. The ordinary 
formulas of the romances, moreover, seem to me to be more fre- 
quently repeated in this work than in any other. Such are the 
special limitations of our poem, to say nothing of those which it has 
in common with all Middle English romances. We have here, how- 1 
ever, a famous and often lovely story told in a style of charming] 
ndivetS which stands in striking contrast to the ornate and courtly ! 
prose of the Old French romances to which his originals belonged. 
In the English poem indeed we breathe almost the atmosphere of 
the ballad. Yet it is doubtful whether there is anything in the 
Vulgate-Lancelot that brings home to our hearts more directly the 
pathos of the tragedy of Guinevere and Lancelot than that exclama- 
tion of the knights : 

" Alias, they sayd, Launcelot du lake 
That euyr shuldistow se the quene ! " (11. 796 f.) ^ 

The reputation of our poem has been eclipsed in a large measure 
by that of the * Morte Arthure ' of the Lincoln MS. The many 
problems connected with the origin of that poem which have given 
rise to such prolonged controversy, and the fact that in parts it repre- 
sents elements of Arthurian tradition which but for it would have 
been lost, have drawn the attention of the learned world to it in an 
unusual degree. It illustrates, moreover, that curious revival of 
alliterative verse which is one of the most interesting phenomena of 
fourteenth century literature in England. The Harleian * Morte 

1 See passage (quoted iu note above, p. xv. Mr. Newell says even more 
•nthuaiastically (* King Arthur and the Table Round,' II, p. 264) : " The noble 
eondusion, scarce rivalled in its way in English literature, miJces a grand and 
fitting close to Arthurian Story." 

2 There are passages in the Vulgate-Lancelot corresponding to this, but*^*^ 
do not produce the same effect. 



XXX § 6. T^ic Merits of the Harleian Romance, 

Arthur * has none of these adventitious sources of interest, nor can 
one claim for it the rush and vigour of the better-known romance. 
On the other hand, it is free from the uncouthness which, as I think 
even professional students will usually find, renders the reading at 
one time of any considerable portion of the poem of the Lincoln MS. 
a labour that is by no means light The main story and the episodes 
our poem embraces, moreover, far surpass in human interest those of 
the alliterative poem, as indeed is shown perhaps by the fact that it 
is the material of the former and not of the latter which has entered 
into the life-blood of English literature in later centuries. This 
then, along with its quiet, simple beauty, constitutes the chief claim 
of our old romance to consideration by the modem world — ^namely, 
that it is the earliest work in English verse of all that have survived 
to present the sorrows of the * Lily Maid of Astolat ' and the story 
moreover of the end of the Table Round in just that form which 
seems surest of immortality. 



ft Porte %ti\nx. 

[Harleian MS. 2252.] 

(1) 

Lordingis that ar leff And dere, 
lystenyth and I shall you teH 
By old[e] dayes what aunturs were 
Amonge oure eldris fat by-felle : 
In Arthur dayes, that noble kinge, 

By-felle Aunturs ferly fele, 
And I shaH telle of there endinge 
That mykeli wiste of wo and wele. 

(2) 
The knightis of the table Eoundl, 

The sangrayle whan they ha^ sought, 
Aunturs that they by-fore them foundl 

Fynisshid and to end[e] brought ; 
Their enemyes they bette & bownd. 

For gold? on lyff they lefte them noght. 
Foure yere they lyved sound?, 

Whan they had these werkis wroght, 

(3) 
Tille on a tyme pat it by-felle 

The kinge in bed? lay by the queue, 
Off Aunturs they by-ganne to telle. 

Many that in pat lan(¥ had bene : 
^* Sir, yif that it were youre wille. 

Of a wondir thinge I wol(} you Inene, 
How your courte by-gynnyth to spill 

Off duoghty knightis all by-dene ; 

(4) 
Syr, your honoz^r by-gynnys to falle. 

That wouwt was wide in world to sprede, 

MORTB ARTHUR. 



[leaf 86] 
The poet is 
going to tell 
of aaventores 
in Arthur's 
days. 



After the 
quest of the 
Holy Grail y^ 
was ended, *^ 
12 the knights 
oftheftaund 
Table lived 
four years in 
quiet. 



16 



20 

Queen Gui- 
nevere begins 
to fear a 
decline in 
the renown 
of Arthur's 
24 Court, 



2 By the Qiceen's advice Arthur proclaims a tournament. 



aodadvUM 

himtopco- 
daim a 
toomament. 



Arthur hM 
a tournament 
at Win- 
chester pro- 
claimedin 
which 

Galehod is to 
be leader. 



Tlie knights 
go to the 
tournament, 
but Lancelot 
stays behind 
to see the 
queen. 



Agraveyne 
also stays 
at home 



Off launcelott and of other att 

That euyr so doughty were m dede." 

" Dame, there-to thy counseH I calle : 
What were best for suche a nede ] " 

" yiff ye your honoure hold shalle, 
A tumement were best to bede, 

(5) 
For-why that Auntre shali by-gynne 

And by spoke of on euery syde, 
That knightis shali there worship wynne 

To dede of Armys for to Hyde. 
Sir, lettis thus youre courte no blynne 

But lyve in honour and in pride." 
** Certys, dame," the kinge said thenne, 

" Thys ne shaH no lenger abyde." 

(6) 
A tumement the king lett bede, 

At Wynchester shuldl it ])e, 
Yonge Galehoc? was good? in nede, 

The Chefteyne of the Crye was he. 
With knightis fat were stiff on stede, 

That ladyes and maydens might se 
Who that beste were of dede 

Thrughe doughtynesse to have the gre. 

(7) 
Knightis Arme them by-dene 

To the tumemente to Kide, 
With sheldis brode and helmys shene 

To Wynne grete honoure and pride, 
launcelot lefte withe the queue 

And seke he lay that ylke tyde ; 
for loue fat was theym by-twene 

he made inchessoun for to abyde. 

(8) 
The kynge satte vppon his stede 

And forthe is went vppon his way ; 
Sir Agraveyne for suche a nede 

At home by-lefte, for •oth to say, 



28 



32 



36 



40 



44 



48 



52 



5d 



60 



IjtaumLat poef iltdtker dag^dsed. 



For mem to^ m nnnr b tbad^ 

Tkat lameekA W i^ queue Ixnr: 
For tD tik« tiicmi wcub l^ dede 

he Anjtee bo& uj'^tct and dxjr, M 

(9) 

Unto the cSianbTr to &e qnene. 
And aette hjriii dovne Tpgn Lk kne 

And SMkoEM diere that ladr ^lenc ^ 

**lxaDo^ioilt, wlutdcstoFw here wdi^ me! 

The kinge b went and fe oooite bj-doie ; 
I diede we sfaifi disoDiiesid be. 

Off the kme is ts hr-twcne ; 



1 — wiift «na 



>«r«:: 









(10) 
Sir i^nTBjne at home is he, 

nyg^t & day he wajtes ts twa" 
" Nay," he sayd, *• my lady fie, 

I ne thinke not it shaH be so : 
I come to take my leve of the, 

Oate of oomte or that I go." 
" ya swithe fat thoa Army<l be. 

For thy dwellynge me is full woo." 






80 



(11) 
launcelott to his chambyr yede, 

Theie Biche atyie lay hym by-fore, 
Aimyd hym in noble wede. 

Off that Aimnie gentylly was shore ; 84 

Sweidf and sheU were good at nede 

In many batayles fat he had bore, 
And horsyd hym on a grey stede 

kyng Arthur had hym yeve by-fore ; 88 

(12) 
haldys he none highe way, 

The knight fat was hardy and fre, 
Bot hastis bothe night and day 

Faste toward that Kicbe Cite, — 92 






wi^ tiMltnt 

toward 

WInchHUr. 



4 Arthur recognizes Lancelot. 

^ Wyncbester it hight, for sothe to say, — 
There the turnament shuld be ; 
As he pMMg kinge Arthur in a casteli lay, 
where Arthur FuH mycbe there was of gam) and gle. 96 

(13) 
[leaf 87, back] Foi-wby men wold launcelott by-bold, 
to disf^se And be ne wold not hym-self shewe, 

himeelf. ,/ ~t 

Wyth his sbuldres gonne he fold 

And downe he bangid bis hede fuH low, 100 

As be ne might bys Iy7?imy8 weld ; 

Kepit be no bugle blowe ; 
Wele he semyd As he were old, 

For-thy ne couth hym no man knowe. 104 

(14) 
The kinge stode on a toure on bigbte, 
Sir Evway[n]e clepis he fat tyde ; 
The king asks " Syr' evwayne, knowistow any wight 
who the Tbis knight fat Rides here by-syde 1 " 108 

^Jd^Evwi ®"^ Evwayne spekis wordis Eight 
repuesitis xbat Ay is bend, is not to byde : 

probably an J ' J 

?ira^^^ " ^^y ^^ ^® ^^^ ^^^ knigbte 

JiwSm^nt. Is come to se fe yonge knigbtw Ride." 112 

(15) 

They by-held bym bothe Anone 
A stounde for the stedis sake ; 
Lancelot's bis bors stomelyd at a stone 
stumbles and That alle bis body there- wit/i gan shake : 116 

the king and "^ o ^ 

Evwajme Xbe knight fan braundissbid yche a bone, 
*^»™- As be the bridelle vp gan take ; 

Tbere-by wiste they botbe Anone 

That it was launcelott du lake. 1 20 

(16) 
kynge Arthur than spekis be 

To sir evwayne there wordis Right : 
** Welle may launcelot hold en be 

Off alle fe world the beste knight 124 



Lancelot is entertained hy the Lord of Ascalot. 



Off biaute and of boante, 

And sithe is none so mocbe of mygbt, 
At every dede beste is he, 

And sithe he nold it wist no wight,^ 128 

(17) 
Sir Evwayn, wiH we done hym byde ; 

he wenys fat we know hym noght." 
** Sir, it is better lette hym Ride 

And lette hym do as he hath thoght ; 132 

he wolle be here nere by-syde, 

Sithe he fus ferre hedyr hath sought ; 
We shalle hym know by his dede 

And by the hors fat he hath brought." 136 

(18) 
An Erie wownyd there be-syde, 

The lord of Ascolot was hight ; 
launcelot gonne thedyr Ride 

And sayd he wolle there dwell aH night ; 140 

They resseyvid hym wit/i grete pryde. 

A Riche soper there was dight ; 
his name ^Bjme he hele and hyde 

And sayd he was a strange knight. 144 

(19) 
Thanne had the erle sonnys two 

That were knightis makid? newe ; 
In fat tyme was the maner so, 

Whan yonge knightis shuld sheldis show, 148 

Tille fe friste yere were agoo. 

To here Armys of one hewe, 
Rede or white, yelew or bloo ; 

There-by men yonge knightis knew. 152 

(20) 
As they satte at there sopere, 

launcelot to the erle spake thare : 
" Sir, ys here Any Bachelere 

That to the tumament wolle fare V 156 

1 MS. might. 



Artlmr 
wishes to 
detain him 
batisdis- 
[leaf88] 
Buaded. 



Lancelot 
rides to the^ 
dwelling of 
the lord of 
Ascalot and 
is well re- 
ceived. 



This lord had 
two sons, 
recently 
knighted, 
and, as with 
other young 
knights in 
the first 
vear of 
kniffhthood, 
their arms 
were of one 
colour. 



Lancelot 
inquires 
whether there 
is any young 
bachelor 



6 Zamcelot horrtncs armour and is l&ctd hy tiu Maid qfAscaici, 

tbcr* who is ''I haue two sonnys that me is dere, 
««««»«*• And now that oonn« is seke f uH sare : 

ThelordoT ' 

^^ So in companye f<it he were 
■•JJ^J^ myne other s«jnne I woKt were thare." 160 



(21) 
'* Sir, and thy sonne wille thedir Kight, 

The lenger I woDe hjm abyde. 
And helpe hym there w/tA aii my myght 
[i«af88,i»ck3 That hym none harme shaH be-tyde." 164 

** Sir, the semys a noble kn[i]ght, 

Courteyse and hend, is not to hyde ; 
At morow shall ye dyne and dight^ 

Togedir I rede welle |«t ye Ride." 168 

(22) 
For the sake <* Syr, of One thinge I wolle yoii mynne 
Lanoriot And be-seche you for to spede, 

borrow a aait yif here were Any Armure Inne, 

<tfunnoiir. *' ^ ^ 

That I might borow it to this dede." 172 

The lord of « Sir, mv sonne lieth seke here-in : 

Ascalot givei ^ , , . . , , . , 

him the Take his Armure and his stede : 

armour of ' 

uliT" ^^^ ^^^ ^y sonnys men shall you kenne, 

Off Rede shall be your bothis wede." 176 

(23) 
Tiie daughter Therle had a doughter bat was hym dere, 

oftlielordof -ox ^ / 

Asoaiot faiie Myketi launcelott she beheld : 

in love with "^ ' 

Lancelot. j^yr Rode was rede as blossom on brere 

Or floure fat springith in the feld ; 180 

Glad she was to sitte hym nere, 

The noble knight vndir sheld ; 
Wepinge was hyr moste chere, 

So mykeH on hym hyr herte gan held. 184 

(24) 
Vp than Rose fat mayden stille 

And to hyr chamber wente she tho ; 
Downe vppon hir bedde she felle, 

That nighe hyr herte brast in two. 188 



Lancelot rides forth to the ToumafKenL 



launcelot wiste what was hyr wyH, 

Welle he knew by other mo, 
hyr brother klepitte he hym tylle 

And to hyr chamber gonne they go ; 

(25) 
he satte hym downe for the maydens sake 

vpon hyr bedde there she lay, 
Conrtessely to hyr he spake, 

For to comforte ))at fayre may ; 
In hyr Armys she gan hym take 

And these wordis ganne she say : 
" Sir, bot yif that ye it make, 

Saflf my lyff no leche may." 



Lanodot 
reeogniiM 

tlMGUlMOf 

h«r aoiTOW, 



192 



andtriwto 
oomfonhtr. 

196 

When the 
. - y. confesses 
200 hsrlove. 



(26) 
"lady," he sayd, "thou moste lette, 

For me ne giff the no-thynge Ille ; 
In Another stede myne hert is sette, 

It is not at myne owne wille ; 
In erthe is no thinge that shall me lette 

To be thy knight lowde and stille ; 
A-nother tyme we may be mette 

Whan thou may better speke thy fille." 

(27) 
" Sithe I of the ne may haue more. 

As thoo arte hardy knight and fre, 
In the tumement ])at thou wold here 

Sum signe of myne fat men might se." 
'* lady, thy sieve thou shalte of-shere, 

I woUe it take for the love of the ; 
So did I neuyr no ladyes ere 

Bot one that most hathe lovid me." 

(28) 
On the morow whan it was day 

They dyned and made them yare, 
And fan they went forthe on there way 

To-gedyr as they bretheme were. 



hsssjsthat 
hUhsurils 
alxMdy glvtn 
aw«y,Dut 
that he 
wiU b« her 
204 kn*Kht. 



208 



212 



He agrees to 
wearher 
sleeve as a 
sign in the 
toamament. 



216 



The next day 
Lancelot 
ridee Ibrth 
with the 
brother of the 
Maid of 

220 ^*^*^^^ ^ 



8 An aunt of Lancelot* s companion entertains them, 

take part They mette a squyer by the way 
toarnament. That frome the tumament gan fare, 
And askyd yif he couthe them say 

"NVhiche pa?'ty was the bygger thare. 224 

(29) 
" Sir Gralehodl hathe folke J?e more, 
For sothe, lordingis, as I you telle, 
Sft^ArtiJir'. -^^^ Arthur is the bigger there ; 

KSSamiS? ^^ ^^^"^ knightis stiff and felle ; 228 

[leaf 89. back] They Ar bold and breme as bare, 

indudetthe _/ , , , , ,, „ 

best knights, Evwayne and boert and lyonelle. 
Therlys sonne to hym spake thare : 

" Sir, wit/i them I rede we dwelled' 232 

(30) 
launcelotte spake, as I you rede : 
80, to win " Sithe they ar men of grete valour, 

fehuf ^ ^^^ might we amonge them spede 
side. There alle are stiffe & stronge in stowre 1 236 

helpe we them fat hath most nede j 

Ageyne the beste we shatt welle dore ; 
And we might there do Any dede, 

It wold vs tome to more honour." 240 

(31) 
launcelot spekis in that tyde 

As knight fat was hardy and fre : 
" To-night wi't/i-oute I rede we byde ; 

The presse is grete in the Cite." 244 

They decide « Sir, I haue An Aunte here beside, 

to spend that 

?h* it**°*t*^ A lady of swith grete biaute ; 

M*aunTSf*^ Were it your wille thedir to Eide, 

toightT ^^^ o^ vs than wol(J she be." 24a 

Ascalot. 



(32) 
mne tl 
cartieluad'are To the lady f ayre and bright ; 

wen Feceived. 



They |K> to Tho to the castelle gonne they fare, 



Blithe was the lady thare 

That they wold dwelle wM hyr fat night ; 252 



Lanodot joins GaUhocTs paHy and fights. 



hastely was there soper yare 

Off mete and dnnke rychely dight. 
Onne the moiow gonne they dyne & fare, 

Both Luinoelott and fat other knight 256 

(33) 
Whan they come in-to )w fel(), 

Myche there was of game & play ; 
A while they hovid & by-held 

how Arthurs knightis Eode that day. 
Galehodis party by-gan to hel(). 

On f ote his knightis ar lacl away ; 
launcelott stiff" was vndyr shekl, 

Thinkis to helpe, yif that he may. 



(34) 
Be-syde hym come fan sir Evwayne, 

Bieme as Any wilde bore ; 
launcelott springis hym ageyne, 

In Eede armys fat he bare ; 
A dynte he yaff wtt^ mekitt mayne, 

Sir Evwayne was vn-horsid thare, 
That alle men wente he had bene slayne, 

So was he woundyd wondyr sare. 



Attbetoor- 



Uwimt day 
th^ assist 
GiOchod's 
putj which 
260 CtonfM] 
isbMnff 
worstecL 



264 



268 



In the conflioi 
Lancdot 
unhorsM 
Evwayne. 

272 



(35) 
Sir boerte thoughte no-thinge goodi, 

Whan Sir Evwayne yn-horsid was ; 
Forthe he springis as he were wode 

To launcelot, wM-outen lees ; 276 

launcelot hytte hym on the hode, 

The nexte way to ground he chese ; 
Was none so stiff agayne hym stode, 

Fulle thynne he made the thikkest prees. 280 

(36) 
Sir lyonelle be-ganne to tene 

And hastely he made hym bowne, 
To launcelott witJi herte kene 

he rode with helme and 8werd[e] browne ; 284 



He also 

unhorses 

Boerte 



10 



Lancelot is wownded by Ector, 



launcelott hitte hyni, as I wene, 

Througbe the belnie in-to fe Crowne, 
That euyr after it was sene ; 
and LyoneUe. Bothe hors and man there yede adowne ; 



288 



The IcnighU 
afreethat 
tiiis muat be 
Lancelot, but 
are puzzled 
bjAe 

Peaf90,back] 
Ascaloteign 
he 



Ector now 
aasails 

Lancrtotand 
wounds him. 



Lancelot, 
sorely hurt, 
rides away to 
a forest. 



(37) 
The knightis gadrid togedir thare 

And gan vfitJi Crafte there counselle take ; 
Suche a knight was neuyr are 

But it were launcelot du lake ; 
Bot, for the sieve on his Creste was thar, 

For launcelot wold they hym noght take ; 
For he bare nevir none suche by-fore 

But it were for the quenys sake : 

(38) 
" Off* Ascolot be neuyr was 

That thus welle beris hym to-day." 
Ector sayd, wM-outen lees, 

What he was he wold assay. 
A noble stede Ector hym chese 

And f orthe rydis glad and gay ; 
launcelot he mette a-mydde fe prese, 

By-twene them was no chi[l]dis play ; 

(39) 
Ector smote with herte good? 

To launcelot that ilke tyde ; 
Througbe helme in-to his hede it yode 

That nighe loste he all bis pv'de ; 
launcelot bytte on the hood? 

That bis hors felle and be be-syde. 
launcelot blyndis in bis blode, 

Oute of the f eld f uH f aste gan Ride ; 

(40) 
Oute of the feld they Reden thoo 

To a forest bighe and bore. 
Whan they come by them one two, 

Off bis helme be takis tbore. 



292 



296 



300 



304 



308 



312 



316 



Arthur pi'oclaims another tournament. 



11 



" Sir," lie sayd, " me is full woo, 
I drede that ye be hurte futi sore." 

" Nay," he sayd, "it is not so. 

But fayne at Eest I wold we were." 

" Sir, myne Aunte is here be-syde. 

There we bothe were aH nighte ; 
Were it youre wille thedir to Eide, 

She wolle us helpe with all hyr might, 
And send for lechis this ylke tyde, 

youre woundis for to liele and dight ; 
And I my-self wille with you abyde 

And be youre servante and youre knight.*' 

(42) 
To the castelle they toke the way. 

To the lady f ayre and hend ; 
She sent for lechis, as I you say. 

That wonnyd bothe ferre and hendl. 
But by the morow that it was day 

In bed he might hym-self not wend ; 
So sore woundyd there he lay 

That well nighe had he sought his end. 

(43) 
Tho kinge arthur with myketi pnde 

Callid his knightis ali hym by 
And sayd a mouwth he wold there byde 

And in wynchester lye ; 
heraudis he dyd go and Eide 

Another tumamente for to Crye ; 
^* This knight wolle be here nere be-syde, 

for he is woundyd bitterlye." 



320 



He is per- 
suaded to go 
again to tbe 
castle of the 
aunt of the 
young knight 
324 ofAacalot. 

Deaf 91] 



328 



There doctors 
attend him. 



332 



336 



King Arthur 
has another 
tournament 
proclaimed 
to draw forth 
the strange 
340 knight again. 



344 



(44) 
Whan the lettres made were 

The heraudis forth witJi them yede, 
Throughe yngland for to fare. 

Another tumament for to bede ; 



348 



12 Lancelot's wounds prevent him from going. 

Bad them buske and make them yare 

Alle that stiff were on stede. 
Thus these lettris sent were 

To tho that doughty were of dede, 352 

(45) 
Tille on a tyme )»at it be-felle 
A herald with An heraude comys by the way 

iwwsofthe . , , „ . , , „ 

toarnament And at the castelle a night gan dwelle 

comas to the " 

iIlS«io?ir There as launcelot woundyd lay, 356 

*y**'«f* And of the turnamente gon telle 

That shulcl come on the sonday. 
launcelot sighes wondyr stille 

And sayd : " alias and weti-a-way ! 360 

(46) 

[leaf 91, back] Whan knightis wynne worship and prtde, 
Som Auntre shati hold me a-way, 
As a coward for to a-byde. 
Lancelot This tumamente, for sothe to say, 364 

vows that he . . , , . „ , J^ 

will go to the for me IS made this ylke tyde : 

tournament, •' •^ ' 

Thoughe I shuld dye this ylke day, 
Certis I shaUe thedyr Ride." 367 

[ no gap in the MS,] Z^7 b 

m 

The leche Aunswerd also sone 
thouffhthe And sayd : ** syr, what haue ye thought % 

fsS'^^^H -A^lle the Crafte that I haue done 

be his death, 

I wene it wille you helpe Right noght. 371 

There is no man vndir tlie mone, 

By hym fat ati this world hath wroght, 
Might saue youre lyff to that tyme come 

That ye vpon your stede were brought ! " 375 

(48) 
" Certis, though I dye this day. 

In my bedde I woUe not lye ; 
Yit had I levir do what I may 

Than here to dye thus cowardelye." 379 



A herald brings to cotirt news of his condition. 13 



The leche anone than went his way 

And wold no lenger dwelle hym by ; 
his wouwdis scryved and stille he lay 

And in his bedde he swownyd thrye. 383 

(49) 
The lady wept as she were wode, 

Whan she sawe he dede wold? be, 
Therlis sonne with sory mode 

The leche agayne clepis he 387 

And sayd : " thou shalt haue yif tis goodi, 

For-why fat thou wilte dwelle with me." 
Craftely than stauwchid he his blode 

And of good comforte bad hym be. 391 



The physician 

foes away, 
at when 
Lancelot's 
agitation 
causes his 
wounds to 
break open, 



he is per- 
suadea to 
return. 



(50) 
The heraude than wente on his way 

At morow whan the day was light 
Also s withe as euyr he may 

To Wynchester that ylke night ; 
he saluecJ the kinge, for soth to say — 

By hym satte syr Evwayne the knight — 
And sithe he told upon his playe 

What he had herd and sene with sight : 

(51) 

** Off alle fat I haue sene with sight 

Wondir thought me nevir more 
ThsLnne me dy^ of a folyd knight 

That in his bed? lay woundid sore ; 
he myght not heve his hede vp-Kight 

For alle the world haue wonne thare ; 
For Angwisshe fat he ne Kide myght 

Alle his woundis scryved were." 

(52) 
Sir Evwayne than spekis wordis fre 

And to the kynge sayd he there : 
" Certis, no cowarde knight is he ; 

Alias ! that he nere hole and fere ! 



The herald 
goes back to 
Winchester, 



395 



399 



[leaf 92] 



and tells of 
the wounded 
knight who 
was so eager 
to ride in the 
tournament. 



403 



407 



Evwayne 
guesses that 
It is the 
strange 
knight of the 
last tourna- 
411 ment. 



14 The toui'nament proclamation is repealed. 

Welle I wote J?at it is he 

That we alle of vnhorsyd were. 

the turnament is beste lette be, 

For sothe that knight may not come there." 



415 



It U decided 
that the 
tournament 
which had 
been pro- 
daimed shall 
not be held, 
and the king 
goes to 
Camelot. 



(53) 
There tumement was than no more 

But this de^Ktrtith alle the prese. 
knightis toke there leve to fare, 

Ichone his owne way hyin chese. 
To kamelot the kynge went there, 

There as quene gaynore was ; 
he wente haue found launcelot thare ; 

A- way he was, wztA-outen lese. 



419 



423 



(54) 

Launcelot sore woundyd lay ; 
knightis sought hym futi wyde. 
Therle sonne night and day 
Was alle-way hym be-syde ; 
When Lance- Therle hym-sclf whan he ryde may 
enough. Brought hym home with myketi pn'de 

the lord of And made hym bothe game & play 

Ascalot takes "^ ^ *^ •' 

him to his Tille he might* bothe go and Ryde. 

(55) 
[leaf 92, back] Bocrte and lyonelle than sware, 

and at the kinge there leve toke there, 
Ageyne they wold come nevir mare 

Till they wiste where launcelot were. 
Ector went with them thare 

To seche his brodyr fat hym was dere. 
many a land they ganne through fare 
And sought hym bothe ferre and nere, 

(56) 
Tille on a tyme fat it by-felle 

That they come by that ylke way. 
And at the castelle at mete gan dwett, 

There as launcelott* woundyd lay ; 



Boerteand 
Lyonelle go 
forth to seek 
Lancelot. 



So does Ector 
too. 



They come 
to Ascalot 
and find 
Lancelot 
walking on 
thew 



427 



431 



435 



439 



Ingon 
rails. J 



443 



BoertCy Zyonelle and Ector find Lancelot 15 

launcelot they saw, as I you telle 

Walke on the wallis hym to play ; 
On knees for loye ati they felle, 

So blithe men they were that day. 447 



(57) 
Whan launcelott saw tho ylke tbre 

That he in world[e] louyd beste, 
A merier metinge might no man se, 

And sithe he ledde them to Eeste. 451 

Therle hym-self, glad was he, 

That he had gotten siche a geste ; 
So was the mayden feyre and fre 

That alle hyr lone on hym had keste. 

(58) 
Whan they were to soper dight, 

Bordis were sette and clothis spradde, 
Therlis doughter and the knight 

To-gedir was sette, as he them badde, 
Therlys sonnys fat bothe were wight 

to serue them were nevir sadde. 
And therle hym-selfe vriih alle his mygh[t] 

To make them bothe blyth and gla($. 463 

(59) 
Bot Boert, euyr in mynd? he thoghte 

That launcelot had bene woundyd sore. 
** Sir, were it your wille to hele it noght 

Bot telle where ye thus hurte were 1 " 467 

" By hym fat alle this world hath wrought," 

launcelot hym-self swore, 
•* The dynte shall be fuH dere bought, 

yif euyr we may mete vs more ! " 471 

(60) 
Ector ne liked that no wight, 

%e wordis that he herd there ; 
For sorow he loste both strength & might ; 

The colours changid in his ley re. 475 



All rejoice at 
thb meeting. 



455 



At supper 
that night 
Boerteasks 
Lancelot 
where he 
received hb 
459 ^®'*"'*» 



QeafdS] 

Lancelot 
V0W8 venge- 
ance for the 
veound. 



Ector (who 
had woanded 
him) is 
alarmed i^t 
this. 



16 



Lancelot karns who reminded him. 



Lancelol now 
Icttrntwbo 
g«Y«him Um 
woqimL 



Lyonelle and 
BoerteJMt 
aboattLe 
wounds thej 
too had 
receiTed, 



and Lancelot 
reuMuret 
Kotor, saying 
that )ie loves 
him all the 
better for the 
proof of 
strength he 
has ^veu. 



[leaf 93, back] 



Lyonelle, 
Boerte and 
Ector return 
tocourtt 



Boerte than sayd these wordis Eight : 

** Ector, thou may makeyvelle chere; 
For sothe it is no coward knight 

That thou arte of I-manased here." 479 

(61) 
** Ector/' he sayd, "where thou it were 

That woundid me thus wondir sore 1 " 
Ector, auNswerd with symple chere : 

'* lord, I ne wiste |wtt ye it wore, 483 

A dynte of you I had there, 

felyd I nevir none so sore." 
Sir lyonelle by god ^n swore 

That " myne woUe sene be euyr more." 487 

(62) 
Sir Boerte tlian answerd as tyte 

As kuight J>at wise was ^'ndir wede : 
" I hope fat none of vs was quite, 

I had oon J>at to ground I yede. 491 

Sir, your brod}T shati ye not wite, 

now knowes either others dede ; 
now know ye how Ector can smyte 

To helpe you whan ye haue nede." 495 

(63) 
launcolot loughe wit^ herte f re 

That Ector made so mekiH Sitte : 
" Brother, no tliinge drede thou the, 

For 1 shalle be botlie liole and quite. 499 

Though thou liaue sore woundiil me, 

There-of I shaH the nevir wite ; 
Bot euyr the better loue 1 the, 

Such a dynte that thou can smyte." 503 

(64) 
Than vppon the thrit^ day 

They toke there leve for to fare. 
To the courte they wille away, 

For lie wille dwelle a while thare. 507 



The knights bring to cmcrt news of Lancelot. 17 



** Grete welle my lorde, I you pray, 
And telle my lady how I fare, 

And say 1 wylle come whan I may ; 
And byddith hyr longe no-thinge sare." 

(65) 
They toke there leve, w^t7i-outen lees, 

And wightely wente vppon there way ; 
To the courte the way they chese. 

There as the quene Genure lay. 
The kinge to the foreste is 

With knightis hym for to play ; 
Good space they had with-outen prese 

There eran^ to the quene to say. 



taking mes- 
sages from 
Lancelot. 



511 



515 



Wljen they 
arrive, 

the king is in 
tlie forest. 



519 



(66) 
They knelytP downe by-fore the quene, 

The knightis fat were wise of lere, 
And sayd they had launcelot sene 

And thre dayes with hym were. 
And how fat he had woundyd bene. 

And seke he had lye full sore. 
'* Or ought longe ye shaH hym sene ; 

he bad you longe no thynge sore." 



They give 
the queen 
news of 
Lancelot, 



523 



527 



(67) 
The quene loughe with herte fre 

Whan she wiste he was on lyff. 
'* 0, worthy god, what wele is me ! 

Why ne wiste my lord it also swithe ! " 531 

To the foreste rode these knightz^ thre. 

To the kinge it to kithe ; 
Ihesu criste fan thankis he 

For was he nevir of word so blithe. 535 



and she 
rejoices tiiat 
he is alive. 



So do tlte 
king and 
Gawayne 
when they 
heai* it. 



(68)1 
he klepyd Sir Gawayne hym nere 

And sayd : " certis, that was he 
That the rede armys here ; 

Bot, now he lyffis, welle is me." 

MORTB ARTHUR. 



[leaf 94] 



539 



18 



Gavxiyne goes to Ascalot, 



Gawayne 
goes at once 
to Ascalot, 



bat before 
he arrives 
Lancelot 
departs, to 
the great 
sorrow of the 
Maid of 
Ascalot. 



He leaves 
his own 
armour 
behind at 
Ascalot. . 



Gawayne 

arrives 
[leaf 94, back] 



Gawayne answerd witA myld chere, 
As he that Ay was hend and fre : 

" Was neuyr tithandis me so dere, 
Bot sore me longis laimcelot to se." 

(69) 
At the kinge and at the quene 

Sir Gawayne toke his leve that tyde, 
And sithe at alle the courte by-dene, 

And buskis hym wttA mekyti pryde 
Tille Ascalot, wttA-outen wene, 

Also faste as he might Eyde ; 
Tille that he haue launcelot sene 

Night ne day ne woUe he byde. 

(70) 
By that was launcelot hole and fere, 

Buskis hym and makis ali yare, 
his leue hathe he take there ; 

The mayden wepte for sorow & Care. 
** Sir, yif that youre willis were, 

Sithe I of the ne may haue mare, 
Som thinge ye wolde be-leue me here 

To loke on whan me longith sare." 

(71) 
launcelot spake wit/i herte fre, 

For to comforte that lady hende : 
" Myne Armure shati I leue w/t/i the 

And in thy brothers wille I wend ; 
loke thou ne longe not after me 

For here I may no lenger lend?, 
longe tyme ne shalle it noght be 

That I ne shalle eyther come or send?.'' 

(72) 
launcelot is Kedy for to Kide 

And on his way he went forth Eight ; 
Sir Gaweyn) come aftir on a tyde 

And askis after suche a knighte ; 



543 



547 



551 



555 



559 



563 



567 



571 



Gawayne recognizes Lancelot's shield. 



19 



They reseyved hym vfiih grete pnde, 
A Kiche soper there was dight, 

And sayd, in herte is noght to hyde, 
A-way he was for fourtenyght. 

(73) 
Sir Gaweyne gon that mayden take, 

And satte liym by that swete wight, 
And spake of launcelot de lake ; 

In alle the world nas suche a knight. 
The mayden there of launcelot spake, 

Said ati hyr lone was on hym light, 
" For his leman he hathe me take, 

his Armure I you shew[e] mighte." 

(74) 
** Kow, damysselle," he sayd Anone, 

** And I Am glad fat it is so ; 
Suche a lemman as thou haste oon 

In aft this world ne be no mo ; 
There is no lady of flesshe ne bone 

In this world so thryve or thro, 
Thoughe hyr herte were stele or stone, 

That might hyr loue hald? hym fro. 

(75) 
But, damysselle, I be-seche the 

his sheld? that ye wold? me shewe ; 
launcelottis yif that it be, 

Be the coloures I it knew/' 
The mayden was bothe hend & f re. 

And ledde hym to a chambyr newe ; 
launcelottis shelfdl she lette hym se. 

And aft his Armure forth she drewe. 

(76) 
hendely than syr Gawayne, 

To the mayden there he spake : 
" lady," he sayd, " wMouten layne. 

This is launcelotteV sheldf de lake. 



and is 

hospitably 

treated. 



575 



In convers- 
ation witli 
Gawayne the 
Maid of 
Ascalot 
confesses her 
love for 
Lancelot, and 
says that he 
has taken 
her as his 
lady-love. 

She cites the 
possession of 
583 ^^^^ armour 
as proof. 



579 



587 



591 



At Gawayn&'s 

request, 



595 



she shows 
him Lance- 
599 lot's shield 
and armour. 



Gawayne 
603 S«i£ieldt 



20 Gawayne returns to court 

and says that Damessclle " he sayd, " I Am fuli f ayne 

he is glad •' ' '' 

[leaf 95] That he the wold to lewiman take, 

has taken )ier And I With alle my myght and mayne 
or^ is lady. 'W'ille he thy knight for his sake/' 607 

(77) 
Gawayne thus spake with that swete wight 

What his wille was for to say 
Tille he was to hed? I-dighte ; 

Ahoute hym was ga?>ime and play. 611 

He leaves he toke his leue at erle and knight 

the next day, ^ 

knowin* ^^ ^^® morow whan it was day, 

lmSi^ *"^ ^^^ sithen at the mayden brighte, 
returns to ^^^ forthe he wente vppon his way. 615 

(78) 
he nyste where fat he mighte 

ne where that launcelot wold? lencP, 
For whan he was oute of sight, 

he was fulle yvelle for to fynd!. 619 

he takis hym the way Eight, 
And to the courte gon he wendl ; 
.^i»«rehe Glad of hym was kyng and knight, 
received. ^qj. }^q ^yas bothe corteyse and hencP. 623 

(79) 
Than it by-felle vppon a tyde. 

The kinge stode by the quene & spake, 
Sir gaweyne standis hym be-syde,^ 

Ichone tille other there mone gan make 627 

how longe they might with bale abyde 

The comynge of launcelot du lake ; 
In the courte was litelle pryde. 

So sore they sighyd for his sake. 631 

(80) 
** Certis, yif launcelot were on lyff. 
So longe fro courte he nol(J not be." 
Gawayne Sir gawayne answerd also swithe : 

tells at court „„ . t.-i.i.,! /.^^ 

that Lancelot " Therc-of uo woudir thmkith me ; 635 

^ In tJie MS, this and the following line occupied the place 
which is filled in this edition by IL 632-3. The scribe^ hoicever, 
observed his mistake ami indicated the tiecessary correction. 



The Queen gHeves at Laticelot's rcpm^ted infidelity. 21 



The feyrest lady that is on lyff 
Tille his lemman chosen hath he ; 

Is noon of vs but wold be blithe 
Suche a semely for to see." 

(81) 
The kinge Arthur was futi blythe 

Off that tithingis for to lere, 
And askid syr Gawayne also swythe 

What mayden that it were. 
" Therlis doughter," he sayd as s withe, 

" Off Ascolot, as ye may here, 
There I was made glaci & blithe. 

his sheld the mayde shewid me there." 

(82) 
The quene than said wordis no mo, 

Bot to hyr chambir sone she yede. 
And downe vppon hyr bed? felle so 

That nighe of witte she wold wede. 
" Alias ! " she sayd, " and weti-a-wo ! 

That euyr I Aught lyff in lede ; 
The beste body is loste me fro 

That euyr in stoure by-strode stede." 

(83) 
ladyes that aboute hyr stode, 

That wiste of hyr previte, 
Bacf hyr be of comforte gode, 

lette no man suche semblant se. 
A bed? they made wtt/i sory mode, 

There-in they brought that lady f re ; 
Euyr she wepte as she were wode. 

Off hyr they had fuli grete pite. 

(84) 
So sore seke the quene lay. 

Off sorow might she nevir lette. 
Tills it felle vppon a day, 

Sir lyonelle and Ector yede 



has chosen a 
lady*love. 



639 



[leaf 95, back} 



When Arthur 
asks who 
A 43 it is, he says 
"* that it is the 
daughter of 
the earl of 
Ascalot. 



647 



651 The queen 
is almost 
distraught at 
the news of 
Lancelot's 
supposed 
Infidelity. 

655 



659 



663 



667 Lyonelle and 
^ Ectormeet 



22 



Lancelot returns to court. 



Lancelot in 
the forest. 



[leaf 06] 



who asks 
after the 
queen. 



They tell 
him that 
both she and 
all the court 
are in great 
distress at 
his absence. 



Lancelot 
decides to 
return to the 
court with 
them. 



In-to the foreste, tbem to play, 

That floured was and braunchid swete, 
And as they went by the way, 

With launcelot gonne they mete. 671 

(85) 
What woundyr was though they were blith 

Whan they there master saw wtt^ sight ! 
On knees they felle also swithe 

And ati they thankid god? aH-myght ; 675 

loye it was to se and lythe 

The metynge of the noble knighte. 
And sithe he freyned also swithe : 

" how fares my lady brighte % " 679 

(86) 
Than answerd the knightis fre 

And said that she was seke f uH sare : 
'* Grete doelle it is to here and se, 

So mekylle she is in sorow and care ; 683 

The kinge, a sory man ys he 

In courte for that ye come no mare ; 
Dede he wenys that ye be 

And alle the courte both lasse & mare. 687 

(87) 
Sir, were it your wille w^t7^ vs to fare, 

For to speke wtt/i the queue, 
Blithe I wote wele that she ware, 

yif that she had you onys sene. 
The kynge is mekille in sorow and care. 

And 80 ys ati the courte by-dene ; 
Dede thoy wene welle that ye Are 

Frome courte for ye so longe haue bene." 

(88) 
he grauntis them at that ylke sythe 

home that ho wille Wit/t them Ride ; 
There-fore the Icnightis were fulle blithe 

And busked! them wit^ mykelle prtde 699 



691 



695 



His interview taith the Queen. 23 

To the courte also swithe ; 

Nyght ne day they nolil abyde. 
The kinge and alia the courte was blithe, 

The tydandis whan they herde pat tyde. 703 

(89) 
The kinge stode in a toure on highe. The ung, 

Be-sydes hym standis syr Gawayne ; tS^ 

launcelotte whan that they sighe, approwhinR. 

Were nevir men on mold so fayne. 707 

They Eanne as swithe as euyr they might 

Oute at the gates hym Agayne ; 
Was nevir tidandis to them so light. 

The kinge hym kissyd and knight & swayne ; 711 

(90) 

To a chambei' the kynge hym laiJ ; fto^M^^ 

feyre in Armys they gon hym fold, reception. 

And sette hym on A Eiche bedde Detf«e.back] 

That spradf was witJi a clothe of gold ; 715 

To serve hym was there no man sad 

Ne dight hym as hym-self wold 
To make hym bothe blithe and glad ; 

And sithe Auntres he them told. 719 



(91) 
Thre dayes in courte he dwellid there . S^t for three 

" days he does 

That he ne spake not vfiih the queue : ^ttfffi^ 

So myche prees was Ay hym nere ; <!"««"• 

The kyng hym lad and courte by-dene, 723 

The lady, bright as blossom on brere. 

Sore she longid hym to sene ; 
Wepinge was hyr moste chere, 

Thoughe she ne durste hyr to no man mene. 727 

(92) 
Than it felle vppon a day, At iMt,when 

__ _ . ^^ , ^., Arthur le out 

The kmge gan on huntynge Bide L""""ft 

In-to the foreste hym to playe, JhSfbe?**" ' 

Wtt^ his knightis be his syde ; 731 



24 The queen nj^h^aids Lancelot. 

launcelot longe in bed? laye, 

With the quene he thought to bydc ; 

To the chamber he toke the way 

And salues hyr vrith mekett pryde ; 735 

(93) 
Friste he kissyd? that lady shene 
And salues hyr vflth herte fre, 
And sithe the ladyes att by-dene, 

For loye the teres BAWie on ther* ble. 739 

She re- « Weti-a-wav ! " than sayd the quene, 

S roaches him •^ ./ t. » 

thelfaid if " launcelot, that I euyr the se ! 

Ascaiot. The loue fat hathe be vs by-twene 

That it shali thus departed be ! 743 

(94) 
Alias ! launcelot du lake, 

Sithe thou hast aft my hert in wold? 
Therlis doughter that thou wold? take 

Off ascaiot, as men me told? ! 747 

Now thou leviste for hyr sake 
AUe thy dede of Arniys bol^, 
[leaf 97] I may wofully wepe and wake 

In clay tylle I be clongyn cold?. 751 

(95) 
She begs him But, launcelot, I be-seclie the here, 

at least to ' 

keep their Sithe it nedelynds shaft be so, 

former tela- '' ° ' 

tione secret. That thou nevir more dyskere^ 

The loue that hathe bene be-twyxe vs two, 755 

Ne that she nevir be witJi the so dere 

Dede of Armys fat thou be fro. 
That I may of thy body here, 

Sithe I shalle thus be-leve in woo." 759 

(96) 
launcelot fulle stille than stode, 

his herte was hevy as Any stone ; 
So sory he wexe in his mode, 

For Routhe hym thought it aft to-torne. 763 

^ MS. discouyr. 



Lancelot goes hack to the forest, 

" Madame," he said, ** for crosse and Rode, 

What by-tokenyth ali this mone % 
By hym fat bought me w^t/^ his blode, 

Off these tydandes know I none ; 767 

(97) 
But by these wordis thynkith me 

A- way ye wold? fat I ware ; 
Now haue good? day, my lady fre. 

For sothe thou seest me nevir mare/' 771 

Oute of the chambyr fan wendis he ; 

Now whethir his hert was f uti of Care ! 
The lady swownyd Sithes thre 

Almost she slew hyr-self[e] thare. 775 

(98) 
launcelot to his chambyr yede, 

There his owne atyre in lay, 
Armyd hym in a noble wede, 

Thoughe in his hert were liteH play ; 779 

Forthe he spronge as sparke of glede, 

Withe sory chere, for sothe to say ; 
Vp he worthis vppon his stede 

And to a foreste he wendis a-way. 783 



25 



Lancelot does 
not under- 
stand, and 
in anger 



he goes back 
to the forest. 



(99) 
Tithyngis come in-to the halle 

That launcelot was vppon his stede ; 
Oute than Eanri^ the knightis alle, 

Off there witte as they wold wede ; 
Boerte de Gawnes and lyonelle 

And Ector that doughty was of dede 
Folowyn hym on horsys snelle, 

Fulle lowde gonne they blowe and grede. 



[leftf97,tMK'k] 



The VrAgUU 
787 tokehim 



r9i 



(100) 
There might no man hym ovir-take, 

he Eode in-to a forest grene ; 
Moche mone gonne they make 

The knighti8 that were bold and kene. 795 



but do not 
soct-eed. 



26 The court gi^ieves at Lancelot's departure 

They blame " Allas ! " they savd, " launcelot du lake, 

the queen for 

Ilia leaving That euvp shuldistow se the quene ! 

the court . , , , , 4. 1 . , 

•««*«. And hyr they ciirsyd for Jus sake 

That euyr loue was them by-twene. 799 

(101) 
They ne wiste nevir where to fare 
Ne to what land fat he woldf ; 
Ageyne they went witZt sighyng sare, 

The knightis fat were kene & bold? ; 803 

and she her- The Quene they found in swownyng thare, 

selfisindeep , ^ , ^^ „ ^ ,* 

diutrees. hyr coDiely tresses all vnfola ; 

They were so full of sorowe & Care 

There was none hyr comfort wolcJ. 807 

(102) 
The kinff The kvnge than hastis hym for his sake 

hastens home •^ ° "^ 

and learns And home fan come that ylke day, 

that Lancelot ' ./ ^ / 

is gone. A,j(j[ asked after launcelot du lake, 

And they sayd : "he is gone away." 811 

The quene was in hyr bed ati nakyd, 

And sore seke in hyr chambyr lay, 
So moche mone the kynge gon make, 

There was no knight fat lust to playe. 815 

(103) 
He laments The kinge klepis Gawayne fat day 
will never And alle his sorow told? hym tylle : 

stay at *i j 

[leaf 96] " Now ys lauucelot gone A-way 
*^" * And come, I wote, he nevir wille." 819 

he sayd " allas and wellaway ! " 

Sighed sore and gaflf hym ylle : 
" The lord that we have lovid att-way. 

In courte why nylle he nevir dwelle ! " 823 

(104) 

Gawayn spekis in that tyde 

And to the kynge sayd? he there : 
Gawayne « Sir, in this castclle shatt ye byde, 

offers to go j j ' 

Comforte you and make good chere, 827 



The Qioeen poisons a Scotch knight. 



27 



And we shaH bothe go and Ride 

In all landis f erre and nere ; 
So preuely he shall hym not hyde 

Throughe happe that we ne shall of hym here." 831 

(105) 
r T^ "Inyghtis than sought hym wide, 
I rV J OfE launcelot myght they not here, 
Tylle it felle vppon a tyde, 

quene Genure, bright as blossom on brere, 
To mete is sette that ylke tyde, 

And syr Gawayne satte hyr nere, 
And vppon that other syde 

A scottysshe knight pat was hyr dere. 



in search of 
him. 



835 



839 



(106) 
A squyer in the courte hath thought, 

That ylke day, yif that he myght, 
With a poyson pat he hath wrought 

To slae Gawayne, yif that he mighte ; 
In frute he hath it forthe brought 

And sette by-fore the quene bright ; 
An Appille ouereste lay on lofte. 

There the poyson was in dighte, 

(107) 
For he thoughte the lady bright 

Wold the beste to Gawayne bede, 
'But she it yaff to the scottisshe knight, 

For he was of an vnkouth stede. 
There-of he ete a lyteii wight, 

Off tresouw toke there no man hede ; 
There he loste both mayne and might 

And died! sone, as I you Rede. 

(108) 
They nyste what it myght by-mene, 

But vp hym sterte syr Gawayne, 
And sithen aii the courte by-dene, 

And ouyr the bord they haue hym drayne. 



Sometime 
after this 
a squire tries 
to xMison 
Gawayne by 
means of au 
843 apple* 



847 



851 



bat the queen, 
not knowing 
that-it was 
poisoned, 
gives it to a 
Scotch knight 
[leaf 96, back] 
who dies 
firomit. 



855 



859 



28 



The knight's hvther leaims of it. 



She UmenU 
the accident. 



The dead 
kniffht is 
buried in a 
chapel in the 
forest, and on 
hU tomb it is 
inscribed 
that the 
queen had 
slain him 
with poison. 



" Wellaway ! '* than sayd the cjuene, 
** Ihe^u Criste ! what may I sayne ! 

Certis, now witt ali men wene 

My-self that I the knight haue slayne.** 

(109) 
Triacle there was anone forth brought, 

The queue wende to save his lyff, 
But aH that myght helpe hym noght, 

For there the knight is dede as s withe ; 
So grete sorow the queue than wrought, 

Grete doele it was to se and lythe ; 
" lonlf, suche syttes me haue sought ! 

Why ne may I nevir be blithe ! " 

(110) 
Knyghtis done none other myght, 

Bot beryed hym wit/i doele I-noughe, 
At a chapeti Yfiili Riche lyghte. 

In a f oreste by a cloughe ; ^ 
A Riche towmbe they dyd? by dight, 

A Crafty clerke the lettres droughe, 
how there lay the shottysshe knyght 

That queue Genure \fith poyson slough. 



rafter 



Shortly 
this. Sir 
Mador, the 
dead knight's 
brotlier, 
comes to 
court. 



[leaf 99] 



Being one 
day m the 



forest, 



Af tyr thys a tyme by 

To the courte ther^ 
his brodyr he was, as 

And syr mador for 
he was an hardy man 

In turnamente and 
And mykett louyd! in 

For he was man of 



(111) 
felle, 

come a knyght, 
I you telle, 
sothe he highte ; 
and snelle, 
eke in fight, 
Courte to duelle, 
myche myght. 



(112) 
Than it felle vppon a day, 

Sir mador wonte wtt/i mekili pride 
In-to the foresto, hym for to play, 

Tliat floured was and bmunchid wyde ; 



86a 



867 



871 



875 



879 



88a 



887 



891 



^ MS. swoiigho. / haw adopf/ttf here i:!eyiferth*s {p. 78) con- 
jectnre. Op, L 893. 



The Queen is to he pitt to death. 



29 



he found a chapeii in his way, 

As he cam by a cloughis syde, 
There his owne brodyr lay, 

And there at masse he thought to abyde. 895 

(113) 
A Riche tot^mbe he found there dight 

With lettres that were fayre I-noughe ; 
A while he stode and Redde it Eighty 

Grete sorow than to his herte droughe, 
he found the name of the scottysshe knight 

That queue Genure wzt/i poysouw sloughe ; 
There he loste bothe mayne and myght 

And ouyr the towmbe he felle in swoughe. 

(114) 
Off swownynge whan he niyglit awake, 

his herte was heuy as Any lede ; 
he sighed for his brothers sake, 

he ne wiste what was beste Rede ; 907 

The way to courte gan he take. 

Off no-thinge ne stode he drede ; 
A lovde Crye on the queue gonwe make 

In chalengynge of his brothers dede. 911 

(115) 
The kyuge fulle sore than gan hym drede, 

For he myght not be ageyne the Eight ; 
The queue of witte wokl? nyghe wede ; 

thoughe ^ pat she agilte had no wight, 915 

She moste there by-know the dede, 

Or fynde a man for hyr to fight ; 
For welle she wiste to deth she yede 

yif she were on a queste of knighti**. 919 

(116) 
Thoughe Arthui** were kynge f e land to weld', 

he myght not be agayne the Eighte ; 
A day he toke yfiih spere and sheldf 

To fynd a man for hyr to fight, 923 

^ In the MS, That is written at the beginning of this line — by 
mistake. 



he lights on 
his brothei*'8 
tomb 



899 



and swoons 
when he 
903 reads t,,e 
inscription. 



When lie 
recovers, 



he accuses 
the queen. 



[leaf 99, back] 
Arthur is 
obliged to 
appoint a day 
when the 
queen shall 
be put to 
death. 



30 



Lancelot voics tliat he will avenge the queen. 



onlcM she 
finds a 
champion. 



News of sU 
this conies to 
Lancelot, 
who has 
heen again 
wounded. 



He swears 
that he will 
iivenge her 
on the ap' 
pointed day. 



That she shalle eyther to deth hyr yeld? 

Or putte hyr on a queste of knighttV ; 
There-to bothe there handis vp-heldf 

And trewly there trouthis plighte. 

(117) 
Whan they in Certeyne had sette a day 

And that quarelle vndir-take, 
The wonl sprange sone throw eche contrey 

What sorow that queue genure ^nne make ; 
So at the laste, shortely to say, 

Word come to launcelot du lake, 
There as he seke I-woundyd lay ; 

Men tolil hym holly ali the wrake, 

(118) 
how that quene Genure the bright 

had slayne vfiHi grete treasouTi 
A swithe noble scottishe knight 

At the mete YriHi stronge poysoun ; 
There-for a day was taken Right 

That she should fynd a knight f uH bowne 
For hyr sake for to fighte 

Or ellis be brente wtt/*-oute Eaunsowne. 

(119) 
Whan fat launcelot du lake 

had hercl holly aH this fare, 
Grete sorow gon he to hym take. 

For the quene was in suche care. 
And swore to venge hyr of that wrake 

That day yif fat he ly vand ware ; 
Than payned? he hym his sorows to slake 

And wexe as breme as Any bare. 



927 



931 



935 



939 



943 



947 



951 



Deaf 100] 



(120) 
]ow leve we launcelot there he was, 
withe the ermyte in the forest grene, 
And telle we forthe of the case 
That touchith Arthur the kynge so kene. 



[N]" 



955 



A strange boat appears at Camelot, 

Sir Gawayne on the mome to conselle he tase 

And momyd sore for the quene ; 
In-to a toure than he hym has 

And ordeyned the beste there them by-twene ; 



959 



31 



As the king 
and Gawayne 
are standing 
in a tower 
one day con- 
aulliing about 
the queen's 
affairs. 



(121) 
And as they in there talkynge stode, 

To ordeyne how it beste myght be, 
A feyre liyuer vndyr the toure yode, 

And sone there-in gonne they see 
A lytelle bote of shappe fuH good? 

To theyme-ward vfiih the streme gon te ; 
There myght none feyrer sayle on flode 

Ne better forgid as of tree. 

(122) 
Whan kynge Arthur* saw pat sighte, 

he wondrid of the Riche apparrayle 
That was aboute the bote I-dighte, 

So Richely was it coueryd sanzfayle, 
In maner of a voute wit/i clothis I-dighte, 

Alle shynand as goldf as yt ganwe sayle. 
Than sayd Sir Gawayne the good knight : 

** This bote is of A ryche entayle." 

(123) 
" For sothe, sir," sayd the kynge tho, 

** Suche one sawgh I neuyr Are ; 
Thedir I Rede now fat we go ; 

Som aventures shalle we se thare ; 
And yif it be wet/i-in dight so 

As with-oute or gayer mare, 
I darre sauely say therto, 

By-gynne wille auntres or ought yare." 

(124) 
Oute of the toure adowne they wente, 

The kynge arthur & sir Gawayne ; 
To the bote they yede witA-oute stynte, 

They two allone, for sothe to sayne ; 



963 they observe 
a liitle boat 
in the river 
which flows 
beneatli. 



967 



^They wonder 
at the rich 
furnishings 
of the boat. 



971 



975 



979 



98^ 



and go down 
to investigate 
the matter. 



987 [leaf 100, bk.] 



32 



In the hoot is the dead Maid of Ascalot, 



They enter 
the boat. 



and on a bed 
in it they find 
a beautiful 
girl lying 
dead. 



Gawayne 
recognizes 
lier as the 
Maid of 
Ascalot. 



HeteUs 
Arthur who 
it is. 



And whan they come there us it lente, 

They by-hehl? it faste, is not to layne ; 
A clothe that ouer the bote was bente 

Sir Gawayne lyfte vp, and went in bayne. 991 

(125) 
Whan they were in, wtt/<-outeii lese, 

Fuli Richely aEayed they it found', 
And in tlie myddis a feyre bedde was 

For Any kynge of Cristene londf. 995 

Than as s withe, or they wold? sese, 

The koverlet lyfte they vp with handl ; 
A dede woman they sighe ther* was, 

The fayrest mayde pat myght be found. 999 

(12G) 
To Sir Gawayne than sayd the kinge : 

" For sothe dethe was to vn-hende, 
Whan he wold thus fayre a thinge 

Thus yonge oute of the world do wend* ; 1003 

For hyr biaute wit/i-oute lesynge 

I wold fayne wete of hyr kynd?, 
What she was, this swete derelynge, 

And in hyr lyff where she gonne lendf." 1007 

(127) 
Sir Gawayne his eyen than on hyr caste 

And by-held hyr fast with herte fre 
So that he knew welle at the laste. 

That the mayde of Ascalote was she, 1011 

Wliiche he som tyme had wowyd faste 

his owne lemau for to be. 
But she au?jsweryd hym Ay in haste, 

** To none hot launcelot wold she te." 1015 

(128) 
To the kinge pan sayd sir Gawayne tho : 

" Thinke ye not on this endris day. 
Whan my lady the quene & we two 

stode to-gedir in youre play, 1019 



HtT utter to Arthur and his knights. 33 

Off a mayde I told you tbo 

That launcelot louyd paramoure Ay % *' 
**Gawayne, for sothe," the kynge sayd tho, 

"Whan thou it saydiste wele thinke I may." 1023 [leaf loi] 

(129) 
" For sothe, syr," fan sayd sir Gawayne, 

" This is the may(J that I of spake ; 
most in this world, is not to layne, 

She lovid launcelot du lake." 1027 

** For sothe," the kynge fan gon to sayne, 

" me Eewith the deth of hyr for his sake ; 
The inchesoun wold I wete full fayne ; 

For sorow I trow deth gon hyi^ take." 1031 

(130) 
Than sir Gawayne, the good knight, They and on 

Sought aboute hyr wM-oute stynte, v^^wn a 

And found a purs f ulle Riche a-Righte, !«**«' ^n ^^ 

With gold and perlis pat was I-bente ; 1035 

AH empty semyd it noght to sight. . 

That purs full sone in hondf he hente, 
A letter there-of than oute he twight : 

Than wete they wold fayne what it mente ; 1039 

(131) 
What there was wreten wete they woldf ; 

And sir Gawayn it toke the kynge 
And bad hym open yt^ that he shol(J ; 

So dyd he sone wtt^-oute lesynge ; 1043 

Than found he whan it was vn-fold?, 

Bothe the ende and the by-gynnynge, 
Thus was it wreten, as men me toldl, 

Off that fayre maydens deynge : 1047 

(132) 
o kyng arthur and all his kniffhti^ This letter is 

fii ? , . ,1 -r^ * f, addressed to 

That longe to the Round table, Arthur and 

_,- , , , the knights 

That corteyse bene and most of myghtig, «f t^e Round 

Doughty and noble, trew and stable, 1051 

^ MS. openyd. 
MOBTE ARTHUR. T> 



T 



34 In the letter Lancelot is blamed. 

And most worshipfuH in all fyghtt^. 
To the nedefuH helpinge & profitable, 

The mayde of Ascalot to Righti^ 

Sendith gretinge, wtt^uten fable : 1055 

(133) 
To you att my playnte I make 
Deaf 101, bk.] Off the WTonge that me is wroghte, 
But noght in maner to vndir-take 

That Any of you ahold mend it ought ; 1059 

Bot onely I say for this sake, 

That, thoughe this world were throw sought, 
Men shol(J nowhere fynd your make, 

AH noblisse to fyude that myght be sought ; 1063 

(134) 
There-fore to you to vndirstand 
fh®h*^di2d* That, for I trewly many a day 
for love haue lovid lelyest in londf, 

Dethe hathe me fette of this world away ; 1067 

To wete for whome yif ye will foundf. 
That I so longe for in langoure lay, 
To say the sothe will I noght wourwJ, 

For gaynes it not for to say nay ; 1071 

(135) 
To say you the sothe tale. 

For whome I haue sutfred this woo, 
I say deth hathe me take wttfe bale 
wh5?s"ifrin ^^^ ^^® uoblest knight pat may go ; 1075 

bu?JhiJii«h ^» ^°^® »^ doughty dyntis to dale, 
of manners, g^ Ryalle ue SO fayre ther-to ; 

But so churlysshe of maners in feld ne hale 

Ne know I none of frende ne fo ; 1079 

(136) 
Off foo ne frend, the sothe to say. 

So vn-hend of thewis is ther* none ; 
his gentillnesse was all a-way, 

AH churlysshe maners he had in wone ; 1083 



Gawayne dcknowledges his error about Lancelot 35 



For for no thinge pat I coude pray, 

Knelynge ne wepinge with Kewfuti mone, 

To be my leman he sayd euyr nay 

And sayd shortely he woldf haue none. 1087 

(137) 
For-thy, lordis, for his sake 

I toke to herte grete sorow and Care, 
So at the laste deth gonne me take, 

So Jat I might lyve na mare ; 1091 

^For trew louynge had I suche wrake 

And was of blysse I-browghte Aft bare ; 
Aft was for launcelote du lake, 

To wete wisely for whom it ware." 1095 

(138) 

When that arthure, the noble kyng, 
had redde the letter and kene the name, 
he said to gawayne, wM-oute lesynge, 
that launcelott was gretly to blame. 
And had hym wonne a Reproovyng 

For euyr and a wikkyd fame, 
Sythe she -deide for gre[te] louyng, 

that he her refusydf it may hym shame. 1103 

(139) 
to the kyng than sayd syr gawayne : 

" I gabbyd on hym) thys ^endyr day, 
that he longede whan I gon) sayne 

With lady other with^ som) othyr maye ; 
bot sothe than) sayde ye, is not to layne, 

that he nolde nought hys lone laye 
In so low A place in vayne. 

But on) a pryse lady and a gaye." 

(140) 
** Syr gawayne," sayd the kyng thoo, 

** What is now thy best rede 1 
how mow we with thys maydyn do 1 " 

Syr gawayne sayd .: " so god me spede, 1115 

^ With this line the second hand of the MS. begins, 
2 MS. whith. 



since he had 
reftisedto 
accept her 
love. 



"Deaf 102] 



that is to say, 
Lancelot. 



The king 
blames 
1099 Lancelot. 



Gawayne 
acknowledges 
that he was 
wrong in 
1107 having said 
that Lancelot 
had taken the 
Maid of 
Asoalot as his 
lady*love. 



nil 



36 The Qtuen upbraids Gawayne. 

Iff that ye wille assent ther-to, 
They^ur- Worshippffully we sliulle hyr lede 
her^uke a In-to the palys and bery her so, 
daughur. As fallys A dukys doughter in dede." 1119 

(141) 
tber-to the kyng Assentid sone ; 

Syr gawayne dyd men) sone be ^are, 
And woi-shippfully, as feii to done, 

In-to the palyse they her bare. 1123 

The Unff ; the kvng than) tolde with-ont lone 

tells tlie "^ ° 

she^a^Tied ^ ^^ ^^^ baions, lesse and mare, 

SiSSX* ®' how launcelot nolde noughte graunte hyr bone, 

ther-fore she dyed for sorow and care. 1127 

(142) 
^'felSel to *^ *^® quene than) went syr gawayne 

thit'*sSt hJ" ^^ g^^ ^® ^^ ^y^ ^^ *^® ^^® • 

ofLanoeiot* " *'^^ sothe, madame," he gon to sayne, 

was fidse. « I ygi jg jjjQ gyiity Qf A trespas. 1 1 ai 

I gabbyd on) launcelot, is not to layne, 

of that I tolde you in thys place ; 
I sayde that hys bydyng bayne 

the dukys doughter of Ascolote was ; 1135 

(143) 
[ieafios,bkO off ascalot that m[a]yden) ffre, 

I sayd you she was hys leman ; 
that I so gabbyd it rewetfe me, 

for Aft the sothe now telle I can) ; 1139 

he nold hyr nought, we mowe welle se ; 

For-thy dede is that white as swanne ; 
thys lettere there-of* warannte woUe be ; 

She playnethe on) launcelot to eche man)." 1143 

(144) 
The qaeen the queue was as wrothe as wynde 
Gawayne And to syr gawayne sayd she than) : 

what he had " For Bothe, Syr, thou were to vnkynde 

to gftbbe 80 vppon) any man), 1147 



The Maid is to he buried. 37 

but thou haddyst wist the sothe in mynde, 

Whether that it were sothe ore nan) ; 
thy curtessy was AH be-hynde, 

Whan thou thoo sawes freste began) ; 1151 

(145) 
thy worshippe thou vn-dediste gretlyche, 

Suche wronge to wite that good knyght ; 
I trowe he ne a-gulte the neuyr nought myche 

Why that thou oughtiste w^t7^ no Ryghte 1155 

to gabbe on) hym) so wylanlyche, 

thus be-hynde hym), oute of hys syghte. 
And, syr, thou ne woste not Ryght wiseliche 

What hanne hathe falle there-of* and myght; 1159 

(146) 
I wende thou haddiste be stable and trewe 

And fuH: of Aft curtessye, 
bot now me thynke thy maners^ newe, 

thay bene Att to^myd to vilanye, 1163 

now thou on) knyghtis makeste thy glewe 

to lye vppon hem for envye ; 
Who that the worshippeth, it may hem) rewe ; 

there-fore devoyede my companye." 1167 

(147) 
Syr gawayne than) slyghly wente awaye ; ST*!"* 

he syghe the queue agreuyd sore ; she^faments 

No more to hyr than^ wolde he saye SuUSS ^ 

Bot trowyd hyr wrathe haue euyr more, 1171 SnoenSng 

the queue than), as she nyghe wode were, 

wryngyd hyr handys and said : " weH-awaye ! 
Alias ! in world that I was bore ! 

that I am) a wreche welle say I may ! 1175 

(148) 
herte, Alias ! why were thou wode 

to trowe that launcelot du lake 
were so falsse and fykelle of mode 

A-nother lemman) than) the to take 1 1179 

^ MS. meners. 



Lancelot. 



38 Hu Qtieen has to find a cliampion. 

nay, sertes, for Alle thys worldis goode 

he nolde to me haue wrought suche wrake." 1181 

[One leaf missing in the Manuscript here between folios 102 
and 103. It probably contained an account of the burial of the 
Maid of Ascalot, as the Vulgate-Lancelot does, and possibly 
also details of Lancelot's life in the forest] 



(165) 
peafiM] To fynde A man) for hyr to feyghte 1318 

to be^Ztl' Or elles yeld her to be brente ; 
iK)t ftndT Iff she were on a queste of knyghtis, 1320 

theappobitod Wele sche wiste she sholdf be shente ; 
Thoughe that she agilte hade no wight, 

No lenger lyffe myght hyr be lente. 1323 

(166) 
The king and The kynge than) sighed and gaffe hym ylle 
Bors. And to syr gawayne than he yede, 

gjtor to aid To bors de gawnes and lyonelle, 

To estor that doughty was [in] dede, 1327 

And askyd yif eny were^ in wille 

To helpe hym) in that mykytt nede. 
The quene one knes be-fore hem) felle, 

That neyghe oute of hyr wite she yede ; 1331 

(167) 
The knyghtes answeryd wit^ lytett pnde, 
her he[r]tes was full of sorow and woughe, 
but tiiey Sayd : " aft we saughe and satte besyde, 
ta^Su * **** ^^® knyght when) she wM poyson) sloughe ; 1335 
And sythe, in herte is nought to hyde, 

Syr gawayne ouer the bord hym) droughe ; 
A-gayne the Ryght we wille not Hyde, 

We saw the sothe verely I-noughe/* 1339 

(168) 
The queen The quene wepte and sighed sore, 
Tv^u> ^^ ^^^ ^® gawnes went she thoo, 

"* 1 MS. werere. 



The knights refuse to defend the Queen. 



39 



1343 



1347 



but he says 
that she 
1351 onghttobe 
burnt for 
drivine 
Lancelot 
away. 



1355 



She goes then 
to Oawayne, 



On knes by-fcre hym) feii she thore, 

That nyghe her hert braste in two : 
" lord bors," she seyde, ** thyn) ore ! 

To-day I shall to dethe goo, 
Bot yiffe thy worthy wille wore 

To brynge my lyfEe oute of^ thys woo." 

(169) 
Bors de gawnes stille stode 

And wrothe a-way hys yjen wente. 
" Madame," he sayde, " by crosse on rode 

Thou art wele worthy to be brente ; 
The nobleste bodye of flesshe and blode 

That euyr was yete in erthe lente 
For thy wille and thy wykkyd mode 

Out of* oure companye is wente." 

(170) 
Than) she wepte and gaffe hyr ille 

And to syr gawayne than) she yede, 
On knes downe be-fore hym) feHe, 

That neigh oute of hyr witte she yede; 
" Me[r]cy," she cryed loude and shrylle, 

** Lord, as I no gilt haue of thys dede, 
Yif* it were thy worthy wiHe 

To-day to helpe me in thys nedel " 1363 

(171) 
Grawayne answeryd with litelle pride, 

Hys hert was f uH of* sorow and woughe : 
" Dame, saw I not And sat be-syde. 

The knyght whan) thou with poyson). sloifghe 1 1367 but he says 
And sythe, in hert is not to hyde, witness of 

•^ "^ ' herguUt. 

My-self e ouer the bord hym) droughe ; 
A-gayne the Ryght wille I not Ryde, 

I sawghe the sothe verrye I-noughe." 1371 

(172) 
Than) she wente to lyonelle, 

That euer had bene her owne knyght, 
On knes downe be-fore hym) felle 

That neyghe she lost mayne and myght. 1375 



1359 



[leaf 108, bk.] 



She next 
beseeches 
Lyonelle, but 
he answers 
in the same 
terms as 
Bors. 



40 



The Queen is deeply distressed. 



She then 
goes to Estor» 



but he too 
reluses. 



[lMfl04] 



" Mercy," she cryed loude and shrylle, 

" lord, As I ne haue gilte no wyght, 
Yif* it were thy worthy wylle 

for my lyffe to take thys fyght ] " 1379 

(173) 
" Madame, how may thou to us take 

And wote thy-selfe so wytteriy 
That thou hast launcelot du lake 

Brought oute of ower companyel 1383 

We may syghe and monynge make 

Whan) we se knightis kene in crye ; 
Be hym) thatt me to man) gan shape 

We ar glade that thou it a-bye ! " 1387 

(174) 
Thaii) fuH sore she gan) hyr drede, 

Welle she wiste hyr lyffe was lome ; 
Loude gon she wepe and grede 

And estor kneles she be-fome. 1391 

** For hym) that on the Eode gon sprede 

And for vs bare the crone of thome, 
Estor, helpe now in thys nede, 

Or, certes, to-day my lyfe is lorne ! " 1395 

(176) 

" Madame, how may thou to us take. 

Or how sholde I for the f eyght 1 
Take the now launcelot du lake 

That euyr has bene thyn) owne knyght ; 1399 

My dere brother, for thy sake 

I ne shaH hym) neuyr se with sight ; 
Cursyde be he that the batalle take 

To saue thy lyffe a-gayne the Ryghte ! " 1403 

(176) 
Ther wolde no man) the batayle take, 

The queue wente to her chambyr soo. 
So dulefuUy mone gon she make 

That nyghe hyr hert brast in twoo ; 1407 



Bors consents to fight for the Queen, 



41 



1411 



1413 ft 
1414 



1418 



For Sorow gon she sheuer and quake 

And sayd : ** Alias and wele-A-woo ! 
Why nade I now launcelot du lake ! 

Att the curte nolde me noght sloo. 

(177) 
yuelle haue I be-sette the dede 

That I haue worshipped so many a knyght, 
[And I haue no man in my nede^] 

For my lyffe darre take a fight, 
lord kynge of AH thede I 

That att the worlde shatt Eede and Byght, 
launcelot thou saue and hede, 

Sithe I ne shalle neuyr hym) se wttA syght ! " 

(178) 

The quene wepte and gaue hyr ylle; 
Whan) she sawe the fyre was yare, 
than) momyd she futi stiUe ; 

To bors de gawnys went sho thare, 
By-sought hym), yif it were hys wille, 
To helpe hyr in hyr mekytte care ; 
In swounynge she be-fore hym) felle, 
That wordys myght sho speke no mare. 

(179) 
Whan) bors saw the quene so bryght, 

Of* her he hade grete pyte ; 
In hys armys he helde her vpe-Ryght, 

Bade hyr of* good comfort be : 
'* Madame, but there come a better knyght 

That wolde the bataile take for the, 
I shalle my-selue for the fighte, 

Whyle any lyffe may laste in me." 

(180) 
Than) was the quene wonder blythe 

That bors de gawnys woMe for her feyght, 

^ A line is required here to make up the umal stamorform. 
Its absence from the MS. is due^ no doubty to an oversight of the 
scribe, Dr, Fumivall, referring to I 1670, has supplied the 
Utu which I have adopted in the text. There can he little doubt 
that the missing line had this form. 



The queen in 
her distress 
wishes tor 
Lancelot. 



She again 
beeeeclies 
Bors for help 



1422 



1426 



and this time 
he promises 
to be her 
champion 
unless a 
better Icnigbt 

1430 gK? 



1434 



The queen 
rejoices. 



42 Bors^ Lyonelle and Estor go to the forest. 

That nere for loye she swounyd swythe, 

But as that he her helde vp-Ryght ; 1 438 

To hyr chambre he led hyr blythe, 
To ladyes and to maydens bryght, 
[leaf 104, bk.] And bad she shulde it to no man) kythe, 

Tylle he were arm yd and redy dyght. 1442 

(181) 
Bors teiu the Bois, that was bolde and kene, 

knights of ^ ' 

hi«^romh» Clepyd Afl hys other knyghtw, 
And tokyn) conselle hem) be-twene, 

The beste that thay couthe and myght, 1446 

how that he hathe hyght the quene, 

That ilke day for hyr to feyght 
A-yenste Syr mador futi of tene,! 

To saue hyr lyfe yife that he myght. 1450 

(182) 
and they are The knyghtw answerd wit/i wo and wrake, 

anfOT with •' ° ' 

him. And sayd they wyste wetterlye 

That *' she hathe launcelot du lake 

Browght oute of* ouere companye. 1454 

Nys non) that nolde thys bataile take, 

Ei"^ she hade any vylanye, 
But we nylle not so glad hyr make 

By-fore we ne suffre hyr to be sorye." 1458 

(183) 
Bore, Bors and lionelle, the knyght, 

Lyonelle and ' J6 > 

to the foresr Estor, that doughty was of dede, 
Jjjjv^tiieir Xo the forest than) went thay Ryght, 

There orysons at the chapelle to bede, 1462 

To oure lord god AH futi of myght 

That day sholde lene hem wele to spede, 
A grace to venquesshe the feyght ; 

Of syr mador thay hade grete drede. 1466 

(184) 
There they As they Came by the forest syde, 

meet Lance- mi n 

lot' There orysons for to make, 

The nobleste knyght than) saue thay Ryde 

That euer was in «rthe shape ; 1470 



Lancelot wUl he the Queen's champion. 



43 



hys loreme lemyd AH wit^ jw^'de, 
stede and armure AH was blake ; 

hys name is noght to hele and hyde, 
he hyght Syr launcelot du lake. 

(185) 
What wondyr was thoughe they were blythe, 

Whan) they ther mayster se vfiih syght ! 
On knes Felle thay as swythe 

And thankyd AH to god AH-myght ; 
loye it was to here and lythe 

The metynge of the noble knyght ; 
And after he askid Also swythe : 

" how now farys my lady bryght ? " 

(186) 
Bors than) tolde hym) AH the Ryght, 

It was no lenger for to hyde, 
How there dyed a scottysche knyght 

Atte the mete the quene besyde : 
" To-day, syr, is here dethe AH dyght, 

It may no lenger be to byde, 
And I for hyr haue take the feyght ; 

[ ' no gap in the MS,"] 

(187) 
Syr mador, stronge though that^ he be, 

I hope he shaH welle proue hys myght." 
** To the courte now wende ye thre 

And recoumforte my lady bryghte, 

[ ■ . . . . 

. no gap in the MS^ 

Bot loke ye speke no word of me, 
I wolle come as A strange knyght." 

(188) 
launcelot that was mochelle of myght 

A-bydys in the forest grene ; 
To the courte wente these othyr knyghtw 

For to recomforte the quene, 

^ MS. thonght tha. 



1474 



The meeting 
is a Joyful 



1478 



1482 



[leaf 105] 



Bors tells 
Lancelot of 
the queen's 
peril and of 
his promise, 



1486 



1489 
1489 & 



but Lancelot 
_ .__ says that he 
1493 will be the 
, . - _ _ queen's 
14936 cnampion. 

1493 c 



1495 



The knighU ' 
return to 
1499 court. 



44 



The appointed day an-ivee. 



On the ap- 
pointed dfty 
the kinff and 
oaeen are at 
the Uble, 



when Sir 
Mador 
appears and 
demands the 
execution of 
the covenant. 



To make hyr glade with AH theyre myght ; 

Grete loye they made hem by-twene ; 
For-why she ne sholde drede no wyght, 

Off* goode comforte they bade her bene. 1503 

(189) 
Bordes were sette and clothys sprede, 

The kyng hym)-selfe is gone to sytte, 
The quene is to the table lade, 

With chekys that were wanne and wete ; 1507 

Off* sorow were they neuyr vn-sad, 

Myght they neyther drynke ne ete ; 
The quene of dethe was sore A-drade, 

That grymly terys gone she lete. 1511 

(190) 
And as thay were at the thryd mese, 

The kynge and AH the courte be^dene, 
Syr mador Att redy was, 

With helme And shelde and haubarke shene ; 1615 
A-monge hem AH: be-fore the dese 

He blowetA oute vppon) the quene^ 
To haue hys Ryght vriih-outen lese. 

As were the covenantes hem) by-twene. 1519 



(191) 
The kyng lokyde one AH hys knyghtw, 

Was he neuere yet so woo, 
Sawhe neuyr on hym) dyght 
[leaf 105, bk.] A-yenste Sir mador for to goo ; 
Syr mador swore by goddys myght. 

As he was man) of herte thro, 
Bot yif* he hastely haue hys Eyght, 
A-monge hem) AH he sholde hyr slo. 



The Icing 
begs him to 
wait. 



1523 



1527 



(192) 
Than) spake the kynge of mekelle myghtj 

That Ay was cortayse and hende : 
" Syr, lete vs ete, and sytheri) us dyght, 

Thys day nys nought yit gone to the ende ; 



1531 



Lancelot in disguise appears as champion, 45 

yet myght there come suche A knyght, 

yif* goddys wyH were hyni) to sende, 
To fynde the thy fylle of fyghte, 

Or the Sonne to grounde wende." 1635 

(193) 
Bors than) loughe on lyonelle, ^ »e^« 

Wyste no man of here hertys worde ; ^^^ "»« 

hys chambyr A-none he wendys tylle 

Wtt^-oute any othyr worde, 1639 

Armyd hym) at AH hys wille 

With helme and haubarke, spere and sworde ; 
A-gayne than) comys he fuH stylle 

And sette hym) downe to the horde. 1543 

(194) 
The terys ranne on the kyngis kne and the king 

*' 1 rejoices tt 

For loye that he sawe bors adyght ; ^"; . 

Up he rose wit^ hert[e] free 

And bors in armys clyppis Ryght, 1547 

And sayd : " bors, god for-yelde it the, 

In thys nede that thow wolde fyghte : 
Welle Acquyteste thou it me 

That I haue worshipped any knyght." ^ 1551 

(195) 
Than as Syr mador loudeste spake, but when 



The quene of treson) to by-calle, again appeau, 

Comys syr lanncelot du lake Lancelot 

_ _ - T> 1 . 1 1 11 rides int« the 

Kydand Eyght in the haue : 1555 h»iia«the 

•*;'=' ' champion, 

hys stede and armure AH was blake, disguised. 

hys visere ouer hys y^eii) falle ; 
Many A man by-gonne to quake : 

A-drade of hym) nyghe were they Alle. 1559 

(196) 
Then) spake the kynge, mykelle of myght, The king 

That hend was in Iche A sythe : ?"i^**®'^' 

" Syr, is it youre wille to lyghte, 

Ete and drynke and make you blythe 1 " 1563 



stand. 



1 



MS. knytht. 



%rmdj 



M lametia *rMd Sir Mmiar fy/U. 

Lnnieeloc spftke » A ttnage knjgiit : 

* I Ib»L zidL& hen of A fi^t ; 

I eome to s&aie A kiifyw hue ; 1567 

jcoefi bitthe the t^wne hj-MOt hjr ded js 

TlttS ^e batke woiadiippid manj A knyght 
And she hasbe no maal izi^ her nedys 

Hunt for hjT hrfe due take a fight 1571 

Thaa that hjr of treeon) gredjSy 

Hastelr that thov be dji^te. 
Gate of thr wiite )oii^ie that thou wedis,^ 

To^T thoa shah prone Afi thj myght" 1575 

(198) 
Than was Sjr mador Also hljthe 

As f oule of day after the nyght ; 
To hys stede he vente that^ Sythe, 

As mail) that was of moche myght ; 1579 

To the felde than Eyde thay swythe, 

hem folowes bothe kyng and knyght^ 
The bataile for to se and lythe. 

Sangh nevir no man) A stronger fyght ; 1583 

(199) 
Both knighta Vn-horsid were bothe knyghtw kene, 

•w at first •'^ ' 

oDiioned, They metten wtt/i so myche mayne. 

And sythe thay faught with sweidys kene, 

Bothe on fote, for sothe to sayne ; 1587 

In Alle the batailles that launcelot had bene, 

With hard acountres hym A-gayne, 
In poynte had he nevir bene 

So nyghe hande for to haue be slayne. 1591 

(200) 
and the figiit There was so wondyr stronge A fyghte, 
one, fote nolde nouther fle ne founde 

frome loughe none tylle late nyght, 

Bot gyffen many a \^futi wounde. 1595 

^ MS. wendis. 

^ MS. than. But that is reqtiired. Cp, 1, 1613. 



Sir Mador is vang;imhed. 



47 



launcelot than) gaffe A dyhte wtt^ myght, 
Syr mador fallys at laste to grounde ; 

" Mercy," cryes that noble knyght, 
Fore he was seke and sore vnsound. 



but Mador 
is at last 
overcome. 



1599 



(201) 
Thoughe launcelot* were breme as bore, 

Fuli stoumely he ganne vp stande ; 
dynte wolde he smyte no more, 

hys swerd he threwe oute of hys hande. 1603 

Syr mador by god than sware ; 

" I haue f oughte in many A lande. 
With knyghtis bothe lesse and mare. 

And neuyr yit er' my mache I fonnde ; 1607 

(202) 
Bot, Syr, A prayer I wolde make, 

For thynge that ye lone moste on lyfe 
And for oure swete lady sake, 

youer name that ye wolde me kythe." 
launcelot gan hys viser vp take 

And hendely hym) shewed that sythe. 
Whan) he saughe launcelot du lake. 

Was neuyr man) on molde so blythe : 

(203) 
**lord," thane said he, " welle is me, 

Myne Auauntement that I may make 
That I haue stande on dynte of the 

And fougliteu) wtt7& launcelot du lake ; 
My brother's dethe for-geffen be 

To the queue for thy sake." 
launcelot hym) kyste wet/i herte fre 

And in hys armys gau hym) vp take. 1623 

(204) 
Kynge Arthur than) loude spake 

A-monge hys knyghtis to the queue : 
" Ja, yonder is launcelot du lake, 

Yiff* I hym) euyr wtt/i syght haue sene." 1627 



[leaf 106, bk.] 

He pi-aises 
the victor's 
prowess, 



and begs to 
Icnowhis 
loll name. 



1615 



He congratu- 
lates liimself 
tliat he oottld 
stand up at 
all against so 
famous a 
1619 ch<^°*P^oi>* 



The king now 

recognizes 

Lancelot, 



48 A squire confesses that he poiswied the apple. 



Thay Ryden and ronne than) for hys sake, 
The kynge and Alle hys knyghU* kene ; 

In hys armys he gon hym take, 

The kynge hym) kyste and courte hy-dene. 



1631 



and the queen 



swoons for 
joy. 



The knights 
Hre now on 
friendly 
terms with 
Sir Mador. 



They all ride 
back to the 
castle, 



[leaf 107] 



and under 
torture a 
squire con- 
fesses that he 
had slain the 
Scotch 
knight. 



rr\Y 



(205) 
Ihan was the quene glade I-noghe 
Whan) she saw launcelot du lake, 
that nyghe for loy she felle in swoughe 

Bot as the lordys hyr gan vp take. 
The knyghtw AH wepte and loughe, 
For loye as thay to-gedyr spake ; 
Withe Syr mador, wtt/i-outen) woughe. 
Full sone acordement gon they make. 

(206) 
It was no lenger for to A-hyde 

Bot to the castelle thay Rode as swythe, 
Withe trompys and Yri\h mykelle pryde, 

That loy it was to here and ly the ; 
Thoughe syr mador myght not go ne Ryde 

To the curte is he brought that sythe. 
And knyghtis vppon Iche A syde 

To make hym) bothe glad and blythe. 

(207) 
The squeers than were takyn Alle 

And thay ar put in harde payne, 
Whiche that seruyd in the halle. 

Whan) the knyght was witA poyson) slayne. 
There he grauntyd A-monge hem) Alle, 

It myght no lenger be to layne, 
How in an Appelle he dede the galle 

And hadde it thought to syr gawayne. 



1635 



1639 



1643 



1647 



1651 



1655 



(208) 
Sir Mador is Whan syr mador herde AR the Ryght, 
That no gylte hadde the lady shene, 
For sorowe he loste mayne and myghte 
And on knees felle be-fore the quene ; 



greatly die- 
tressed at the 
wrong he had 
done the 
queen. 



1659 



Agrawayne wishes to betray Lancelot and the Qtoee^u 49 



laTincelot then liym helde vppe Ryghte 

For loue that was them) be-twene ; 
Hym kyste bothe kynge and knyght 

And sythen) AH the curte by-dene. 1663 

(209) 
The squyer than was done to shende, 

As it was bothe lawe and Eyght, 
Drawen) and hongyd and for-brende 

Be-fore syr mador, the noble knyghte. 1667 

In the castelle thay gan forthe lende, 

The loyus gard than was it hyghte ; 
launcelot that was so hende 

Thay honouryd hym yrith Alle ther ]|ij{^ 1.671 

(210) ... ■; 

Atyme be-felle, sothe to sayne, 
the knyghtis stode in chamljT and spake, 
Bothe gaheriet and syr gawayne 

And mordreite that mykelle couthe of wrake : 1675 
" Alias ! " than sayde syr A-grawayne, 
" How fals men) schalle we vs make ! 
And how longe shalle we hele and layne 

The treson of* launcelote du lake ! 1679 

(211) 
Wele we wote, wit^-outen) wene, 

The kynge arthur oure eme sholde be 
And launcelote lyes by the quene ; 

A-geyne the kynge^ tra[y]tor is he ; 1683 

.And that wote AH the curte by-dene, 

And Iche day it here and see ; 
To the kynge we shulde it mene, 

Yif* ye wille do by the counselle of* me." 



Tlie squire 
is executed. 



Out day 
Agnwayne is 
imakinff to 
his brothers 
about Lance* 
lot's intrigue 
with the 
queen. 



He thinlcs 
tliat tliey 
sliould tell 

.^^^ the king. 

1687 [leaf 107. bk.] 



(212) 
" Wele wote we," sayd syr gawayne, 

** That we ar of* the kyngi^ kynne, 
And launcelot is so mykyti of mayne 

That suche wordys were better blynne. 

1 MS. knyke. 
MORTB ARTHUR. 



Gawayne 
opposes this, 



1691 



50 



The King conut in. 



brinK on ^ 



and «7*H^ Welle wote thou, brotbyr agrawayne, 

r wiu There-of shulde we hot harmys wynne ; 
yit were it better to hele and layne 

Than) werre and wiake thus to be-gynne. 1695 

(213) 
Welle wote thou, brother agrawayne, 

launcelot is hardy knyght and thro ; 
kynge and courte hade ofte bene slayne, 

Nad he bene better than) we mo ; 
And sythen myght I neuyr sayne 

The loue that has bene by-twene vs twoo ; 
launcelot shalle I neuyr be-trayne. 

^-hyjide hys bake to be hys foo. 

(2U) 
lannedot is kynges sonne fuH good, . . 

And therto hardy knyght and bolde, 
And sythen and hym ned by-stode. 

Many A lande wolde wtt/i hym holde ; 1707 

Shedde ther sholde be mykelle blode 

For thys tale, yiffe it were tolde ; 
Hyr Agrawayne he were fuH wode 

That 8uche a thynge be-gynne wolde." 1711 



1699 



1703 



ifitit. Mmii 
Um hlhif 

lilKMltttlllM 

iiuMi't<*<t)>i 



urn iNlNllttf 



All Mi» 

llHtilllil'M 
IUHVII Mill 
riNIIII |iN|i«|l^ 

AtfrttWN^iiHi 



(215) 
Tliiin thus gatys as the knyghtis stode, 

(hiwiiyno and AH that other pres. 
In conio the kynge vfiih mylde mode; 

(kwayno tlian^ sayd: "felaus, pees"; 
Tho kyngo for wratho was neghe wode 

Vox to W(^tto what it was ; 
Agj^rawiiyno swore by crosse And Eode : 

** I Hhulle it you telle wet/i-oute lees." 

(216) 
(Jawayiio to liya chambyr wente, 

Off* thyn talo nohlo he noght here; 
Ouhorioi and gahoryos of hys A-sente 

Wltho horo brother went they there ; 

1 MS. that 



1715 



1719 



1723 



Agrawayne tells him of Lancelot's intrig^ce mth the Queen. 51 



Welle they wyste that AH was shente 
And syr gawayne hy god than) swere : 

" here now [is] made A comsemente 

That bethe not fynysshyd many A yero." 

(217) 
Syr Agrawayne tolde Alle be-dene 

To the kynge Yfiih symple chere, 
How launcelot liggys by the quene, 

" And so has done f ali many A yere, 
And that wote Att the courte by-dene 

And Iche day it se and here, 
And we haue false and treytonrs bene 

That we ne wolde neuyr to you dyskiBli*- 

(218) 
" Al^ ! " than sayd the kynge ihoi% 

■ Certes, that were grete pyte, 
So Ab man) nad neuyr yit more 

Off biaute ne of bounte 
Ne man) in worlde was neuyr yit ore 

Off so mykylle noblyte. 
Alias ! fall grete duelle it were 

In hym shulde Any treoon be ; 

(219) 

But sythe it is so, wtt^uten fayle,' 

Syr Agrawayne, so god the Eede; 
What were now thy beste consayle 

For to take hym) wM the dede4 
he is man) of suche Apparayle, 

Off* hym) I haue full mychelle drede ; 
Alt the courte nolde hym) Assayle 

Yiff* he were Armyd vppon) hys stede." 

(220) 
" Syr, ye and All the courte by-dene 

Wendythe to-morowe on huntynge Ryght, 
And sythen send word to the quene 

That ye wille dwelle wit^ute AH nyght, 



1727 



1731 



who telU the 
king that 
Lancelot has 
been intimate 

[leaf 108J 
with the 
queen for 
many years. 



17» 



Ike king Is 
grieved at 
tliia. 



1739 



1743 



and wishes to 
know how he 
may catch 
Lancelot in 
the act. 



1747 



1751 



Agrawayne 
proposes that 
theking 
should go 
hunting the 
next day and 
tHMK pretend that 
1755 beUtobe 
away all 



52 . Agrawayne plots to catch Lancelot, 

This will give And I aud other xii knyghtes kene 
wSi twelve FuH preuely we shall vs dyght : 

knights, an f ^G ' 

opportunity 'VVe shaHe hym haue wit^-outen wene, 

to catch •' ' 

Lancelot. . To-morow 01 Any day by lyght." 1759 

(221) 
The next day On the moiow With AH the courte by-dene 

the king acts 

on this The kynge gonne on huntynge Kyde, 

And sythen he sent word to the quene 

That he wolde AH nyght oute A-byde. 1763 

Aggrawayne with xii knyghtys kene 

Atte home be-lef te that ilke tyde ; 
Off AUe the day they were not sene, 

So piewtily thay gonne hem hyde. 1767 

(222) 
The queen Bio was the queiie wondyr blythe 
Lancelot, That the kynffe wolde at the f oreste dwelle : 

when the '' ^ ' 

king has Xo launcelot she sente as swythe 

gone. "^ 

And bad that he shulde come her tille. 1771 

Bore suspects Syr bors de gawnes be-ganne to lythe, 
deaf 108, bk.] Thoughe hys herte lyked ille ; 
SiiaS ^ ** Syr/' he said, ** I wolde you kytlie 
^^anceo no ^ word, yif« that it were your wille : 1775 

(223) 
Syr, to-nyght I rede ye dwelle ; 

I drede ther be som treson dight 
Withe Agrawayne, that is so felle, 

That waites you bothe day and nyght ; 1779 

Off* Alle that ye haue gonne hyr-tylle 

'Ne greuyd me neuyr yit no wight 
Ne neuyr yit gaffe myn herte to ille 

So mykelle as it dothe to-nyght." 1783 

(224) 
but he Insists " Bors," he sayd, ** holde stylle ; 

ongoing. oi T , -lit 

Suche wordys ar noughte to kythe ; 
I wille wende my lady tille, 

Som new tythandes for to lythe ; 1787 



He detects Lancelot with the Qiceen. o3 

I ne shaH noght bote wet[e] hyr wylle, 

loke ye make youe glad and blythe ; 
Certenly I nelle nought dwelle 

Bot come A-gayne to youe Ati swythe." 1791 

(225) 
For-why he wende haue comynwe sone, He did not 

»^ ^ J 7 intend 8tay- 

For to dwelle had he not thought, however* 

Non Armore he dyde hym vppon IJiSStU^itr 

Bot A Robe All sengle wrought ; 1795 ***"*• 

In hys hand A swerd he fone, 

Off* tressoli) dred he hym Ryght noght ; 
There was no man vndyr the mone 

he wende vritJi harme durste hym) haffe sought. 1799 

(226) 
Whan he come to the lady shene, ' He comee to 

"^ ' tlie queen's 

he kissid and clypped that swete wyght ; chamber. 

For so the, they neuyr wolde wene 

That any treson was ther dyght ; 1803 

So mykylle loue was hem by-twene 

That they noght de-parte Myght ; 
To bede he gothe with the queue *jj R^JJ *® ^ 

And there he thoughts to dwelle Alle nyght. 1807 

(227) 
he was not buskyd in hys bedde, Sim iS'bed*^* 

launcelot in the quenys boure, AjJSwne 

Come Agrawayne and syr mordreit ^iSi* ^h, 

With xii knyghtys stiff e in stowre ; 1811 damo^rf 

Launcelot of tresson they be-gredde, 

Callyd hym fals and kyngys treytoure. 
And he so so strongly was by -stedde 

There-inne he hadde non Armoure. 1815 

(228) 
** Welaway ! " than sayd tlie queue, [leaf i09] 

"launcelot, what shaH worthe of vs twoo ! tmiSy*" * 

The loue that hathe bene vs be-twene ^^ "* * 

To suche endynge that it sholde goo ! 1819 . 



54 



Lancelot's fight loith Agrawaynes party. 



Withe Agrawayne that is so kene, 

That nyght And day hathe bene oure foo, 

Now I wote, wtt^-outen wene, 

That AUe oure wele is tomyd to woo/' 1823 

(229) 
** Lady," he sayd, " thow moste blynne ; 

Wyde I wote these wordis bethe Ryffe ; 
Bot is here any Armoure inne, 

That I may haue to saue my lyffe ? " 1827 

** Certis, nay," she sayd thenne, 

** Thys Antoure is so wondyr stryffe 
That I ne may to none Armoure wynne, 

Helme ne hauberke, swerd ne knyffe." 1831 

(230) 
Euyr Agrawajme and syr mordred 

Callyd hym Recreante fals knyght, 
Bad hym Ryse oute of hys bedde, 

For he moste nedis wttA them fyght ; 1835 

In hys Robe than) he hym cled, 

Thoughe he none Armoure gete myght ; 
Wrothely oute hys swerd he gredde. 

The chamber dore he sette vp Ryght. 1839 

(231) 
An Armyd knyghf be- fore in wente, 

And wende launcelot wele to sloo, 
Bot launcelot gafife hym soche A dynte 

That to the grounde gonne he go ; 1843 

The other AH agayne than stente ; 

Af tyr hym dorste folowe no moo ; 
To the chambyr dore he sprente 

And claspid it sviih barres twoo. 1847 

(232) 
^'•nceiot nj>w The knyght that launcelot has slayne, 
S^oS*"' -^y® Armoure founde he fayre and bryght ; 
Hastely he hathe hem oMrayne 

And therin hym-selfe dight. 1851 



bat Lanodot 
tries to 
comfort her, 
and asks for 
mrmoar. 



There is none, 
however, at 
hand. 



Agrawayne 
and Mordred 
challenge 
Lancelot to 
come forth. 



and he goes 
to the door 
with sword 
drawn. 



The first 
knight that 
attempts to 
slay Lancelot 
is himself 
slain. 



He hills Agrawayne and escapes. 

" Now, know thou wele, syr Agrawayne, 

Thow presons me no more to-Nyght." 
Oute than sprange he wtt/i mykett mayn), 

Hym-selfe a-yenste hem) alle to fyght. 1855 

(233) 
Launcelot than smote vriih herte goode, 

' Wete ye welle, wtt/i-outen lese ; 
Syr Agrawayne to dethe yode, 

And sythen AH the other presse ; 
Was non so stronge that hym wtt/i-stode 

Be he had made A ly telle Kese ; 
Bot mordreit fled as he were wode, 

To sane hys lyff* futi fayne he was, 1863 

(234) 

Launcelot to hys chambre yode, 
to bors and to hys other knyghti^ ; 
Bors Armyd be-fore hym stode, 

To bedde yit was he no^t dight ; 1867 

The knyghtw for fere was nye wode, 

So were they drechyd aH that nyght, 
Bot blythe wexid they in her mode 

Whan they her mastyr sawghe yriih syght. 1871 

(235) 
" Syr," sayd bors, the hardy knyght, 

** Aftyr you haue we thoght fuH: longe. 
To bedde durste I ne no^t dight, 

For drede ye hade som Aunter stronge ; 1875 

Owre knyghtt* haue be drechyd to-nyght, 

That som nakyd oute of bed spronge, 
For-thy we were fuH sore a-fryght 

Leste som treson were vs Amonge." 1879 

(236) 
" Ya, bors, drede the no wight, 

Bot bethe of* herte good And bolde, 
And swythe A-waken vp AH my knyghtt^ 

And loke whiche wille wtt/* vs holde ; 1883 



55 



and attacks 
his assailants. 



He slays 
Agravrayne, 
1859 [leaf 109. bk.] 



and Mordred 
flees. 



Lancelot gets 
back to his 
knights, 



who liad 
been uneasy 
about him all 
that night. 



Lancelot tells 
them to arm 
themselves. 



so 



Lanodat pets ready to reBcwt tk^e Queen. 



foithtoa 



where Umj 
waittohfltf 
whathM 



queen, 
[leaf 110] 



Mordred 
brings the 
news to 
Gawayne, 



L(ike ibeT be ArmTd asd redy digbt, 

For it is ftothe that thou me tolde, 
We liEDe be-^anue thvs ilke nvght 

Hiat sliafi brmge manT A mim fafi colde." 1887 

r2Z7) 
BoTs- tiiaii'' qiake wtt// dreiy mode : 

- Srrr he savl, "sithe it is so. 
We fihaUf be of he^t^^* good 

Afhrr ihe wele to take the wo." 1891 

The knyghtis sprent as they were wode 

And to there hameise gon the go ; 
At the morow Armyd be-fore hjm. stode 

An hundrethe knyghtt^ and sqnyers mo. 1895 

(238) 
Whan they were armyd and redy dight, 

A softe pas forth gonne they Hide, 
As men that were of mykelle myght, 

To A forest there be-syde ; 1899 

Launcelot Arrayes AH hys knyghtM 

And there they loggen hem to byde 
Tylle they herd of the lady bryght. 

What Auntere of* hyr shulde be-tyde. 1903 

(239) 
Mordreit than toke A way fidl gayne, 

And to the forest wente he Eight, 
Hys Auntures tolde, for sothe to sayne, 

That were by-fallyn that ylke nyght 1907 

" Mordreit, haue ye that treitour slayne, 

Or how haue ye vriih hym dight 1 " 
" Nay, syr, bot dede is aggrawayne. 

And so Ar AH oure other knyghtt«?." 1911 

(240) 

Whan it herde syr gawayne, 

That was so hardy knyght and bolde, 
" Alias I is my brother slayne 1 " 

Sore hys lierte be-gan to colde ; 1915 



The Queen is about to he hurnt 



57 



" I warnyd wele syr Aggrawayne, 
Or euyr yit thys tale was tolde, 

Launcelot was so myche of mayne, 
A-yenste hym was stronge to liolde." 

(241) 
It was no lenger for to byde, 

Kynge And Alt hys knyghtis kene, 
Toke there connselle in that tyde, 

What was beste do \fith the quene. 
It was no lenger for to byde, 

That day fo[r]-brent shuld she bene. 

[ 

no gap in the MS."] 



who says that 
he warned 
Agrawayne ot 
what would 
happen* 



1919 



1923 

1925 
1925^> 
1925 c 



The king and 
his knights 
determine 
that the 
queen must 
he burnt. 



r, 



. (242) 
The fyre than made they in the felde, 
There-to they brought that lady fre, 

that euyr myght wepene welde 
A-boute her Armyd for to bee. 
Gawayne, that stiffe was vndir shelde, 

Gaheryet ne gaheryes ne wold no^t see ; 
In there chamber they hem helde 
Off* hyr they had grete pyte. 

(243) 
The kynge Arthure that ylke tyde 

Gawayne And gaherys for sent ; 
here Answeres were no^t for to hyde, 

They ne wolde no^t be of hys assente ; 
Gawayne wolde neuyr be nere by-syde 

There Any woman) shuld be brente ; 
Gaheriet And gaheries vriih lytetie pryde, 

AH vn- Armyd thedyr they wente. 

(244) 
A squeer gonne tho tythandes lythe, 

That launcelot to courte had sente ; 
To the foreste he wente as swithe 

There launcelot and hys folke was lehte, 



A fire is 

accordingly 

made. 



1929 



1933 



but Gawayne 
and his two 
brothers 
refuse to be 
present at the 
queen's 
execution. 



1937 



1941 



A squire 
brings Lance- 
lot news of 
what is 
impending, 



1945 



58 LaTicelot rescues the Queen, 

[leaf no, bk.] Bad hem come and haste blythe, 

The quene is ledde to be brente ; 
an^heand And they to hors and Armes swy the 
hasten to And Iche One be-fore Other spiente. 1949 

(245) 
The quene by the fyre stode 

And in hyr smoke AH: redy was; 
lordyngis was there many and good 

And grete power, wet^-outen lese. 1953 

^ew fn time I^^^^elot sprente, as he were wode, 
Futi sone partyd he the prees, 
Was none so styffe a-3eynste hym stode, 

Be he had made a ly telle Bese. 1957 

(246) 

wheim*ii There was no stele stode hem a^eyne ; 
resistance, Though faught they but A lytelle stound, 

Lordyngys that were myche of mayne 



GWieriet and Qaheriet and gaheries bothe were slayne. 



slaying Many goode were brought to grounde; 1961 

among oters ^^ 

Wythe many A doulfuti dethes wounde ; 
Tiiey take the Qlie Queue thav toke wit/i-oute layne, 

queen back to ^ J J ' 

witiftiTm "^^^ ^ *^® fores to gonne they founde. 1965 

(247) 
The king fTlhe tythyugis is to the kynge brought, 
kn? hte*** -'- ^^^ launcelote has tane away the quene. 
" Suche wo as there is wroughte ! 

Slayne ar Alle ouro knyghtis kene." 1969 

Downe he felle and swounyd ofte, 

Grete duelle it was to here and sene ; 
So nere hys herte the sorowe sought 
Ati-moste hys lyffe wolde no man wene ; 1973 

(248) 
" Ihesu cryste ! what may I sayne % 

In erthe was neuyr man so wo ; 
Suche knyghtys as there ar slayne 

In Ati thys worlde there is no mo. 1977 



Gawayne swears vengeuTice against Lancelot. 69 



Lette no man telle Syr gawayne, 

Gaheriet hys brother is dede hym fro, 

But weilaway ! the reufulle Eayne, k^^ 
That euyr launcelote was my fo ! " 



fdo^r 



1981 



and says that 
Gawayne 
most not 
know of 
Oaheriet's 
death. 



(249) 
Gawayne gonwe in hys chambyr hym holde, 

Off* AH the day he nolde not oute goo ; 
A squyer than the tythandys tolde 

What wondyr theighe hys herte were wo ! 
"Alias ! " he sayde, " my brother bolde, 

Where gahereit be dede me fro ? " 
So sore hys hert be-gan to colde 

Ati-moste he wolde hym-selff sloo. 

(250) 
The squyer spake with drery mode, 

To re-comfort syr Gawayne : 
" Gaheriet eyles noght hot goode ; 

he wolle sone come A-gayne." 
Gawayne sprent as he were wode 

To the chambre there they lay slayne ; 
The chambre flore Aile ranne on blode. 

And clothys of golde were ouer hem drayne. 

(251) 
A clothe he heuys than vppon hyght ; 

What wondyr thoughe hys hert were sore 
So dulfully to se them dight 

That ere so doughty knyghtis were ! 
Whan he hys brother sawghe vfith syght, 

A word myght he speke no more ; 
There he loste mayne and myght 

And ouyr hym felle in swounynge thore. 

(252) 
Off* swounynge whan he myght A-wake, 

The hardy knyght, syr gawayne, 
Be god he sware and loude spake, 

As man that myche was of mayne : 



A squire 
nevertheless 
1985 tells Ga- 
wayne, 



1989 



1993 



1997 



[leaf 111] 



who goes to 
where his 
brethren lie 
dead. 



2001 



2005 



2009 



He swoons at 
the sight. 



bat, when he 
recovers, 
he says that 
henceforth 
there will be 
no peace 
between him 
and Lancelot. 



60 ' Lancelot prepares for war. 

**Be-twixte me And launcelote du lake 
Nys man in erthe, for sothe to sayne, 

ShaH trewes sette and pees make, 

Er outher of* vs haue other slayne." 2013 

(253) 
A squyer that launcelot to court hadde sente 

Off* the tythandys gonne he lythe ; 
To the foreste is he wente 
Lancelot also And tolde lauiicelot Also swythe, 2017 

learns of the -«-» i / 

death of how lordvlnlees that were Riche of rente 

Gaheriet and ^ L JO 

Gaheries. ^gle goode had loste hyr lyffe, 

Gaheryet and gaheries sought here ende ; 

Bot than was launcelot no-thynge hlythe ; 2(J21 

(254) 
He grieves «* Lord/' he said, " what may tliys hene ? 

overGaheriet, » > J J 

and recog- Ihesu cryste ! what may I sayne ] 

w^^Ga^"**" The loue that hathe be-twexte vs bene, 

SJpi^sibir'' That euyr gaheryet me was A-gayne ! 2025 

Now I wote for AH by-dene, 
A sorye man Is syr gawayne ; 

A-cordement thar me nevyr wene, 
[leaf 111, bk.] TiUe eyther of* vs haue other slayne." 2029 

(•255) 
Lancelot lauucclot gouuc With hysse folke forthe wende, 
c^ect his With sory hert and drery mode : 

forces for '' j y 

wa*"- To quenys and countesses fele he sende 

And grete ladyes of gentiti blode, 2033 

That he had oftc here landis deffende 
And foughten whan hem nede by-stode. 

Ichone her power hym lende, 

And made hys party stiffe and goode ; 2037 

(256) 
Many ladies quenys and countesses that Ryche were 
whom he had Scudc hym erlys wit/i grete meyne : 

assisted send ^, ,,., ,. 

him men. Other ladics that myght no more 

Sente hym barons or knyghtis free ; 2041 



He first seeks peace from the King, 



61 



So mykelle folke to hym gon fare, 
Hydous it was hys oste to see ; 

To the loyus gard wente lie thare 
And helde hym in that stronge Cyte. 

(257) 

Launcelotis herte was futi sore 
For the lady fayre and bryght ; 
A damosselle he dyd be yare, 

In Kyche Apparayle was she dyght, 
Hastely in message for to fare 

To the kynge of mykelle myght, 
To prove it fals (what myght he mare?) 
Bot proferys hym there-fore to fyght. 

, (258) 
The mayden is Kedy for to Ryde, 
In A futi Ryche Aparaylmente, 
Off* Samytte grene, vfiih mykyti pryde, 

That wroght was in the oryente ; 
A dwerfPe shiilde wende by hyr syde, 

Suche was launcelotis comaundement ; 
(So were the raanerys in that tyde, \ 

v. Whan A. mayde on message wente. ) 

(259) 
To the castelle whan she come, 

In the paleise gonne she lyght ; 
To the kynge hyr erande she sayd sone, 

By hym satte syr gawayne the knyght, 
Sayd that lyes were sayde hym vppon) ; 

Trewe they were by day and nyght ; 
To proue it as a knyght shulde done 

Launcelot proferis hym to fyghte. 

(260) 
The kynge Arthure spekys thore 

Wordys that were kene and thro : 
" He ne myght proue it neue?* more 

Bot of* my men that he wold slo ; 



He goes to 
2045 JoyusGard 



2049 



2065 



and send! a 
damsel to the 
king to deny 
the charges 
made a«dnst 
hhn. 



2053 



2057 



2061 



The damsel, 
richly 
apparelled, 
goes, accom- 
panied by a 
dwarf. 



She perronns 
her errand 
to the khig. 



[leaf 112] 



2069 



but the king 
will not be 
reconciled. 



2073 



62 



The King %oill not have peace. 



ThedamMl 
brings back 
the king's 
answer to 
Lancelot, 



Arthur now 
collects his 
forces tO(^ 



and his host 
sets out to 
besiege Joya« 
Gard. 



Be l\\&g\x cryste," the kynge sware, 

And Syr gawayne than Also, 
" his dedis shali be bought futi sore, 

Bot yife no stele nyH in hym go." 2077 

(261) 
The maydcn hathe hyr answere, 

To the loyus garde gonne she Ryde ; 
Such as the kynges wordis were 

She told launcelot in that tyde ; 2081 

Launcelot Syghed wounder sore, 

Teres frome hys yjen ganne glyde ; 
Bors de gawnes by gode than sware : 

** In mydde the felde we shall hem byde." 2085 

(262) 
Arthure wolde no lenger a-byde 

Bot hastis hym wzt/i All hys myght ; 
Messengeres dyd he go and Ryde, 

That thay ne shulde lette for day ne nyght, 2089 
Thorow-oute yngland by Iche a syde 

To erle, baroim and to knyght, 
Bad hem come that ilke tyde 

"Withe hors stronge And Armure bryght. 2093 

(263) 
Thoughe the knyght that were dede hem fro, 

There-of was AH there mykelle kare, 
Thre hundrethe thay made mo, 

Oute of the castelle or they wold fare, 2097 

Off ynglonde A[nd] yreland Also, 

Off walys and scottis that beste were, 
Launcelot And hys folkys to slo. 

With hertis breme as Any bore. 2101 

(264) 
Whan thys oste was All bowne. 

It was no lenger for to byde, 
Rayses spere and gounfanoune, 

As men that were of* mykelle pryde ; 2105 



The siege of Joyus Gard, 



63 



"V^iiJi helme and shelde and hauberke browne, 
Gawayne hym-selfe be-fore ganne Ryde 

To the loyus garde that Rycho towne, 
And sette A sege on Iche A syde. 

(265) 
A-bonte the loyus garde they laye 

Seuentene wokys And well mare, 
Tille it felle vppon A day 

launcelot home bad hem fare : 
** Breke youre sege ! wendys a-waye ! 

You to slae grete pyte it ware." 
He sayd " Alias and weilawaye ! 

That euyr beganne this sorewe sare ! " 

(266) 
Evir the kynge and Sir gawayne 

Calde hym fals Recreante knyght, 
And sayde he had hys bretheme slayne 

And treytour was by day and nyght, 
Bad hym come And proue hys mayne 

In the felde wz't/i hem to fyghte. 
Launcelot sighed, for sothe to sayne, 

Grete duelle it was to se vfiih sight. 

(267) 
So loude they launcelot gonne Ascrye 

With vois and hydous homys here, 
Bors de gawnes standis hym by 

And launcelot makys yuelle chere. 
**Syr," he sayd, "whare-fore and why 

Shulde we these proude wordys here 1 
me thynke ye fare as cowardlye 

As we ne durste no man nyghe nere. 

(268) 
Dight we vs in Ryche Araye, 

Bothe yfiih spere And vriHi shelde, 
As swithe as euyr that we maye, 

And Ryde we oute in-to the felde ; 



2109 



Tltey besiege 
it upwards of 
[leaf 112, bk.] 
seventeen 
weeks, and 
^1 1 Q Lancelot 
Jtlio does not 

attack tliem. 



2117 



The king and 
Gawayne 
challenge him 
to come forth. 



2121 



2125 



At last Bors 
upbraids 
Lancelot for 
not accepting 
the challenge. 



2129 



2133 



2137 



G4 



Lancelot is 
loth to 
fight against 
tbe king. 



but cannot 
delay the 
conflict any 
longer. 



[leaf 118] 



In the battle 

Gawayne 

wounas 

Lyonelle 

sorely. 



but no one 
could otand 
up agahist 
Lancelot. 



A battle hefoi^e Joyus Gard. 

Whyle my lyffe laste maye, 

Thys day I ne sliaH my wepen yelde ; 
There-fore my lyffe I darre wele laye 

We two sliaH make liem AH to lielde.' '/ * 2141 

(269) 
" Alias ! " quod launcelot, " wo is me, 

That euyr shuld I se with syghte 
A-jeyne my lord for to be, 

The noble kynge that made me knyght ! 2145 

Syr gawayne, I be-Seche the, 

As thou arte man of myche myght, 
In the felde let not my lorde be 

Ne that thy-selfe wiUi me not fyghte." 2149 

(270) 
It may no lenger for to byde 

But buskyd hem and made AH bowne ; 
Whan thay were Kedy for to Eyde, 

They Reysed spere and gonfanoune; 2153 

Whan these ostes gan samen glyde, 

Withe vois and hydous hornys sowne, 
Grete pyte was on eyther syde, 

So fele goode ther were layd downe. 2157 

(271) 
Syr lyonelle wit/i myche mayne 

Withe A spere by-fore gan founde ; 
Syr gawayne Rydys hym A-gayfle, 

hors and man he bare to grounde, 2161 

That AH men wende he had ben slayne, 

Syr lyonetie hade suche A wounde ; 
Oute of* the felde was he drayne, 

For he was seke and sore vn-sounde. 2165 

(272) 
In Alt the felde that like tyde 

Myght no man stonde launcelot a-^eyne, 
And sythen as faste As he myght Ryde 

To saue that no man sholde be slayne. 2169 



I 



The King is unhorsed. 

The kynge was euyr nere be-Syde 

And hewe on hym with AH: hys mayne, 

And he so corteise was that tyde 

dynte that he nolde smyte a-gayne. 

(273) 
Bors de gawnes saughe at laste 

And to the kynge than gan he Ryde, 
And on hys helme he hytte so faste 

That nere he loste AH: hys pryde ; 
The stede Rigge vndyr hym ISfaste 

That he to grounde felle that tyde, 
And sythen wordys loude he caste, 

Withe Syr launcelot to chyde : 

(274) 
** Syr, shalthou AH day Suffer so 

That the kynge shaH the assayle. 
And sethe hys herte is so thro 

Thy corteise may not A-vaile 1 
Batailles shaH there neuere be mo, 

And thou wilf do be my consalle ; 
3euyth vs leue them AH to slo, 

For thou haste venquesshid thys bataille." 

(275) 
*' Alias ! " quod launcelot, ** wo is me. 

That euyr shulde I se vrith syghte 
By-fore me hym vnhorsyd bee. 

The noble kynge that made me knyght ! " 
he was than so corteise and fre 

That downe of* hys stede he lyghte ; 
The kynge ther-on than horsys he 

And bade hym fle, yiffe that he myght*. 

(276) 
Whan the kynge was horsyd there, 

Launcelot lokys he vppon, 
How corteise was in hym more 

Then euyr was in Any man ; 

MORTE ARTHUR. 



65 



Lancelot will 
not return 
2173 the king's 
blows. 



Bors un- 
horses the 
king. 



2177 



2181 



and rebukes 
Lancelot for 
having been 
80 con- 
siderate. 



2185 



2189 



Lancelot 
helps the 
king back on 
his steed, 



2193 



2197 



[leaf 113, bk.] 
and tlie king 
is touched by 
his eliivalrjr. 



2201 



66 Bors and Oawayne fight and are wonnded. 

He thought on thyngis that had bene ore, 

The teres from hys y^en Eanne ; 
He Sayde ** Alias !" with syghynge sore, 

" That euyr yit thys werre be-gan I " 2205 

(277) 
The battle The parties ame wit/i-drawen A-waye, 

ceases for the ^ •' ' 

' day. Off* knyghtis were they wexyn thynne ; 

On morow on that other daye 

Scholde the bataille efte begynne ; 2209 

Thay dyght hem on A Ryche Araye 

And partyd ther ostes bothe in twynne ; 
he that by-ganne thys wrechyd playe, 

What wondyr thoughe he had grete synne ! 2213 

(278) 
only just at Bors was breme as Any bore, 

the end Bora "^ ' 

and Qawayne And OTite he rode to syr gawayne ; 

Have a tut, _^ 

For lyonelle was woundyd sore, 

Wenge hys brother he wolde futi fayne ; 2217 

Syr gawayne gonne A-jeyne hym fare, 

As man that myche was of mayne ; 
Eyther throughe other body bare. 

That welle nere were they bothe slayne ; 2221 

(279) 
in which both Bothe to groimde they Telle in fere, 

are wounded. ° *" 

There-fore were fele folke futi woo. 
The kynges party Redy were 

A-way to take hem bothe two ; 2225 

launcelot hym-selfe come nere, 

Bors rescous he them froo ; 
Oute of the felde men) hym here, 

So were they woundyd bothe two. 2229 

(280) 
Off* thys bataille were to telle, 

A man that it wele vndyrstode, 
How knyghtis vndyr sadels felle 

And sytten downe wM sory mode ; 2233 



The Pope foi^hids the continuance of the war, 67 

Stedys that were bolde and snelle 

A-monge hem waden in the blode, 
Bot by the tyme of enyn belle 

Launcelot party the better stode. 2237 



(281) 
Off* thys batayle was no more, 

Bot thus depa[r]ten they that daye ; 
Folke here Frendys home ledde and bare 

That slayne in the feldys laye. 
Launcelof gonne to hys castelle fare,^ 

The bataille venquesshyd, for Sothe to saye ; 
There was dueti and wepynge sare, 

Amonge hem was no chyldys playe. 

(282) 
FTnto] ali landys northe and southe 
I- M Off* thys werre the word spronge, 
And yit at Eome it was full couthe, 

In ynglande was suche sorowe stronge ; 
There-of* the pope had grete Eouthe, 

A lottre he selid wit^ hys hande ; 
Bot they accorded welle in trowthe, 

Enterdite he wolde the lande. 

(283) 
Then was A bischope at Eome, 

Off* Eowchester, wtt/M)uten lese ; 
Tylle ynglande he, the message, Come, 

To karllylle ther the kynge was ; 
The popis lettre oate he nome 

In the paleis by-fore the desse. 
And bade ihem do the popis dome 

And holde yngland in Beste and pes. 



The two 
parties with- 
araw their 
fcHroet. 



2241 



2245 



[leaflU] 



2249 



News of the 
war between 
Arthur and 
Lancelot 
reaches the 
pope, 



who threatens 
to lay the land 



2253 



inUrdlct, if 
tliejr do not 



Tlie bishop of 



brings this 
message to 
Englatid, 



2257 



2261 



(284) 
Bedde was it by-fore Afi by-dene, 

The lettie that tiie pope gonne make. 
How be moste haoe Sr^ejme the qwme 

And a^eorde withe knneelot dn Uht ; 2265 

1 The 9eribe iy vUdake hegtm tkU Uaf with th$ Jl/rti twm 
lime$4flet^lVi,hU4ifUrwafd»0lrudfthmt(^^ 



68 A bishop acts as mediator. 

Make a pes hem by-twene 

For euyr more and trews make. 
Or ynglande entyrdyted shulde bene 

And tome to sorow for ther sake. 2269 

(285) 
Tiwkingu The kynge a-3eyne it wolde no^te bene, 
pope's oom- To do the popys comaundemente, 

niAod to take x x y ' 

iMck his wifs. Bly thely A-yeyne to haue the quene ; 

Wolde he noght that ynglonde were shente ; 2273 
iboagit Bot gawayne was of herte so kene 

opposst. Tliat to hym wolde he neuyr Assente 

To make A-corde hem by-twene, 

While Any lyffe were in hym lente. 2277 

(286) 
The bishop Through the sente of AH: by-dene 
Arthur's Ganne the kynge A lettre make ; 

nMssatfs to '^ ° ' 

Ciwifiu.bk.] The bysschope in message yede by-twene 

Mking^ferthe To syr launcelot du lake, 2281 

niMsii. And Askyd yiffe he wolde the quene 

Cortessly to hym by-take, 
Or yngland enterdyt shuld bene 

And tome to sorow for ther sake. 2285 

(287) 
launcelot Answeryd vrtHi grete fauoure. 
As knyght that hardy was and kene : 
Lancelot is " Syr, I haue stande in many A stoure, 
Miuotaut, Bothe for the kynge and for the quene ; 2289 

Futi colde had bene hys beste towre, 

Yiff that I nadde my-selfe bene ; 
he quytes it me w*t/i lytelle honoure, 

That i haue seruyd hym AH by-dene." 2293 

(288) 
The bysschope spake wit/i-oute fayle, 

Thoughe he were nothynge A-froughte : 
" Syr, thynke that ye haue venquysshid many A bataille 

Throwgh grace that god hathe for you wrought ; 2297 



Lancelot consents to give up the Queen, 



69 



ye sliaHe do now by my counsayle : 
Thynke on hym that yon dere bought ; 

Wemen Ar frele of hyr entayle ; 

Syr, lettes not ynglande go to noght." 

(289) 
" Syr bysshope, castelles for to holde 

Wete yon wele I haue no nede. 
I mygbt be kynge, yif* that I wolde, 

Off* AH benwike, that Ryche thede, 
Ryde in-to my landys bolde 

Withe my knyghtes styffe on stede. 
The quene, yif that I to them yolde, 

Off* her lyffe I haue grette drede." 

(290) 
** Syr, be mary that is mayden floure, 

And? god that AH: shaH rede and Ryght, 
She ne shaH haue no dyshonoure, 

There-to my trouthe I shaH you plyght, 
Bot boldely brought in-to hyr boure, 

To ladyes and to maydens bryght, 
And holden in welle more honours 

Than euyr she was by day or nyght." 

(291) 
" ]N'ow, yif* I grande suche a thynge, 

That I delyuere shaH the quene, 
Syr bysshope, say my lorde, the kynge, 

Syr gawayne and hem AH by-dene, 
That thay shaH make me A sekerynge 

A trews to holde vs by-twene." 

[ 



2301 



2305 



and fears 

what may 
OQHQ happen to 
^^^^ the queen, 

if he returns 

her. 



The bishop 

reassures 

him. 



2313 



2317 



no gap in the MS,] 



2321 

2323 
2323 & 
2323 c 



and Lancelot 
consents, 
provided the 
King and 
Oawayne will 
conclude a 
truce with 
him. 



(292) 
Then was the bysshope woundyr blythe 

That launcelot gaffe hym thys Answere ; 
TyUe hys palfray he wente as swythe 

And tylle karllyle gonne he fare ; 



2327 



[leaf 115] 



The bishop 
takes the 
news back to 
Carlisle. 



70 



A truo' is mcLde. 



TbtkiBf 
ace*p(« 
LumloC** 
condit&oos. 



and a trace 
is made. 



Lancelot is 
to bring the 
queen Sack 
next day. 



Tliere is a 
beautiful 
procession, 
wlien the 
queen is 
returned. 



Tythandjs sone were done to Ijtbe 

Wliiche that latmcelotis woidis ware ; 
The kjnge and courte was AH fuU blythe, 

A trews thev sette and sekeryd thare ; 2331 

(293) 
Through the Assent of AH by-dene 

A syker trews there they wrought ; 
Though gawaync were of hert[e] kene, 

There-a-yenste was he no3te, 2335 

To bald A trews hem by-twene, 

While launcelot the quene home broght ; 
Bot cordemente^ thar hym neuyr wene, 

Or eythep other herte haue sought. 2339 

(294) 
A syker trews gonne they make, 

And wit^ ther seales they it bande ; 
There-to they thre bisshopys gon take, 

The wiseste that were in AH the lande, 2343 

And sent to launcelot du lake ; 

At loyus gard* they hym fande ; 
The lettres there they hym by-take 

And there-to launcelot held hys hande. 2347 

(295) 
The bisshopis than went on her way 

To karlyti there the kynge wase ; 
Launcelot shaH come that other day 

"Withe the lady proude in pres. 2351 

he dight hym I[n] a Eyche Araye, 

Wete ye wele, wit^-outen les ; 
An hundreth knyghtts, for sothe to saye 

The beste of AH hys oste [he] chese. 2355 

(296) 
Launcelot and the quene were cledde 

In Robes of A Riche wede, 
Off* Samyte white, ^i\h syluer shredde, 

yuory sadyH and white stede, 2359 

1 In MS, ouermente apparently^ hd cordemente is certainly 
inUnded. Op. II. 2028, 2422 and 2426. 
* JvM after gard in the MS. the is written by mistake. 



['-'' Lancelot h^ings the Queen hack. 71 

y 

Saumbues of* the same threde, 

That wroght was in the hey then thede; 
launcelot hyr brydelle ledde, 

In the Romans as we Eede ; 2363 

(297) 
The other knyghtzs euerychone 

In Samyte grene of heythen lande 
And in there kyrtelles Eyde Allone, 

And Iche knyght a grene garlande, 2367 [leaf ns, bk.] 

Sadillis sette wit/i Ryche stone, 

Ichone A braunche of olyffe in hande, 
AH the felde A-boute hem schone ; 

The knyghtis Rode fuH loude synghand. 2371 

(298) 
To the castelle when they come 

In the paleise gonne they lyghte ; 
Launcelot the quene of hir palfray nome, d u***^°'h 

They Seyde it was A semly syghte ; 2375 J^J^*** 

The kynge than salowes he f uH sone, 

As man that was of myche myghte ; 
Feyre wordys were there fone, 

Bot wepynge stode there many A knyghte. 2379 

(299) 
Launcelot spake, as I you mene, 

To the kynge of mykelle myght : 
** Syr, I haue the broght thy quene 

And sauyd hyr lyflfe vfith the Ryght, 2383 

As lady that is feyre and shene 

And trewe is bothe day and nyght ; 
Iffe Any man sayes she is noght cl^ue, that h^lS? 

I prof re me there-fore to feyght." 2387 ^^i^i^s*""' 

that she is 
not pure. 

(300) 
The kynge Arthur Answeiys thore 

Wordys that were kene and throo : 
" Launcelot, I ne wende neuyr more Arthur 

' •' reproaches 

That thow wolde me haue wroght thys woo ; 2391 Lancelot. 



Lmmalat mub 4 nKtmeUiatUm^ 



So ^iOK *i Wi^ AZUSn WCfC, 

Tbere-rEkiTr t£u& ;i^3G w» mj foo ; 
Bi^t C!i':g£Lfi f':r-«hT znie R^vis sore 

That ea«r wxs werw br-twexte v« two." 



2395 



Gav^jn* 



harinf alain 
hisbroOkcn, 



i301) 

LAan<!i»I*:t tiun Amirenrde h€^ 
WLin he bdd 1 jstea jd longe : 
** SjT, thy wo dh>w witeste me 

And welle thoa waste it is wit/i wionge ; 
I w» nearr fer frome the. 

When thow hid Any soiow stronge ; 
Bot Ijeis Ivstenes thow to Ije, 

Off whome Afi thjs word oate spionge." 

(302) 
Than by-spake hym Syr gawayne. 

That was haidy knyght and free : 
^ laoncelot, thou may it noght witA-sayne 

That thow haste slayne my biethiene thre ; 
For-thy schatt we prone oure mayne 

In f eld whether shatt haue the gree ; 
Or eyther of vs shaH other slayne 

Blythe shaH I nenyr be." 



2399 



2403 



2407 



2411 



[leaf 116] 
but Lancelot 
asserts that 

slay them. , ** Gawayne," he said, 



(303) 
Launcelot Answeryd wtt^ hert sore, 

Thoughe he were nothynge A-froughte : 
" Gawayne," he said, " thoughe I were there, 
My-self* thy brethren slow I noght ; 
• Other knyghtis fele ther were 

That sythen thys werre dere han bought." 
launcelot syghed wonder sore, 
The terys of* hys yen sowght. 



(304) 
He begs launcelot spake, as I you mene, 

Arthur and , , 

oawayne to To the kynge and syr gawayne : 
conciied with « gyy^ ghaH I neuyr of* cordemente wene 
That we myght frendys be A-3eyne 1 " 



2415 



2419 



2423 



Beconciliation is refused. 



73 



Gawayne spake -with hert[e] kene, 

As man that myche was of mayne : 
" Kay, cordement thar the neuyr wene 

Tylle on of* vs haue other slayne." 2427 

(305) 
** Sythe it neuyr may be-tyde 

That pees may he vs by-twene. 
May I in-to my landys Eyde 

Saffely with my knyghtis kene 1 2431 

Than wiUe I here no lenger byde, 

Bot take leue off* yow All by-dene ; 
Where I wende in world [e] wyde, 

Engelond wolle I neuyr sene." 2435 

(306) 
The kynge arthur Answered thore, 

The terys from hys y3en Eanne : 
" By Ihesu cryste ! " he there swore, 

** That AH thys worlde wroght and wan, 
In-to thy landys whan thou willt fare, 

The shaH: lette no lyuand man." 
He sayd " Alias ! " withe syghynge sare, 

" That euyr yit thys werre by-ganne ! 

(307) 
Sythe that I shaH wende A-waye 

And in myn Awne landys wone, 
May I saffly wone ther aye, 

That ye wythe werre not come me on 1 " 
Syr gawayne than) sayd : " naye, 

By hym that made sonne and mone, 
Dight the as welle as euyr thou may, 

For we shaH After come fuH sone." 2451 

(308) 
launcelot hys leue hathe taken thare, 

It was no lenge[r] for to byde ; 
hys palfray found he Eedy 3are, 

Made hym Redy for to Ryde ; 2455 



but Gawayne 

vehemently 

reftises. 



Lancelot then 
wishes to be 
allowed to 
Hde into his 
own lands 
unmolested. 



2439 

This the king 
promises. 



2443 



Lancelot next 
wishes to 
know 

whether they 
intend to 
attack him 
04.47 ^" ^** own 
country. 



and Gawayne 
says they do. 



Lancelot 
takes his 
leave in 
sorrow. 



Lancelot rtiums to his otcn country. 



Oute of the castelle gonne they fare, 
Gremly teres lette they glyde ; 
Oftf ii<,bk.: There was dwelle and wepynge sare, 
At the partynge was lytelle pryde. 

(309) 
H* firrt rUiM To the loyiis gard, the Ryche towne, 

to Jojot 

G»rd. Rode launcelot, the noble knyghte ; 

Busked hem and made A bowne. 

As men that were of" myche myght, 
Withe spere in hand and gonfanowne 

(lette the}' nouther day 7?e nyght) 
To An haaen hight kelyon ; 

Ryche galleys there they fande dyght. 



and then to a 
port called 
Kcljon 

(CaorioooN 



2459 



2463 



2467 



He mU Mil 
for Ben«rik«, 



(310) 
Xow ar thay shyppyd on the flode, 

launcelot And hys knyghtts hende ; 
Wederes had they feyre and goode 

"Wher hyr wille was for to wende. 
To An hauen there it stode 

As men were leueste for to lende ; 
Off* benwike biythe was hyr mode, 

Whan IhesM cryst hem thedir sende. 

(311) 
Now ar thay Aryued on the stronde, 

Off* hem was f ele folke futi blytlie ; 
Grete lordis of the lande, 

A-3oyne hym they come as swythe, 
And felly n hym to fote and hands ; 

For her lord thay gonne hym kythe, 
At hys domys for to stande, 

And at hys lawes for to lythe. 

(312) 
Bors made he kynge of gawnes, 
As it was bothe law and Ryght ; 
k?i? ^5®"®"® lyonelle made kynge of fraunce, 
Be olde tyme gawle hyghte ; 



and is Joy> 
fUUy received 
there. 



He mnkes 
Bors kingr 
of Gktwnea 



France. 



2471 



2475 



2479 



2483 



2487 



Arthur, pr&paHng for war ah*oad, makes M(yi'dred regent 75 



AH hys folke he ganne Auance 

And landys gaffe to Iche A knyghte, 
And storyd hys castellys for Ati chance, 

For mykyH he hopyd more to fyght. 2491 

(313) 
Ester he crownys wM hys hande, 

So sayes the boke w^t7i-outen lese, 
made hym kynge of* hys fadyr lande 

And prynce of All the Eyche prese ; 2495 

Bad no thynge hym shulde wet/i-stande, 

Bot hald hym kynge as worthy was, 
For ther [no] more hym-self wold fande 

Tylle he wiste to le£Pe in pes. 2499 

(314) - - - 

Arthure wolle he no lenger A-byde, 
nyght and day hys herte was sore ; 
messengerys did he go And Ryde 

Throughe-oute yngland for to fare 2503 

To erlys And barons on Iche A syde, 
Bad hem buske and make AH jare, 
On launcelot landys for to Ryde, 

To brenne and sle and make Ati bare. 2507 



He also 
makes Estor 
king of his 
father's land. 



[leaf 117] 
Arthur pre- 
pares to wage 
war against 
Lancelot, 



(315) 
At hys knyghtis Ati by-dene 

The kynge gan hys conselle take, 
And bad hem ordeyne hem by-twene 

Who beste steward were for to make, 2511 

The Reme for to saue and jeme, 

And beste were for bretaynes sake ; 
Futi mykelle they dred hem Ati by-dene 

That Alyens the land wold take. 2515 

(316) 
The knyghtis answeryd, wet^ute lese. 

And said, for sothe, that so them thought 
That syr mordred the sekereste was, 

Thoughe men the Reme throw-oute sought, 2519 



and takes 
counsel with 
liis knights 
as to who 
shall govern 
the realm in 
his absence. 



They sav that 
Mordred is 
the best man. 



76 



Arthur invades Benwyke. 



and lie is 
aeoordingly 



ArtkarM> 
•emblM hU 

Cyaat 
jronne 
(CaerleoD), 



and paning 
over into 
Lancelot's 
country 
ravage* it. 



Lancelot 
ffathere hti 
riearil7,bk.] 
forces to- 
gether, 
and liolds a 
council. 



llors urges 
that they 
should attack 
the hivaders. 



To saue the Reme in trews and pees. 

Was A boke by-fore hym bioaght ; 
Syr mordreit they to steward chese ; 

That many A bolde sythen A-bought. 2523 

(317) 
It was no lenger for to byde, 

But buskes hem And made Att bowne j 
Whan they were Redy for to Hyde, 

They Heised spere and gonfanowne ; 2527 

Forthe they went vri\h mykelle pryde 

Tylle An hauyne hyght kerlyonne, 
And graythes be the lande syde 

Galeis grete of fele fasowne. 2531 

(318) 
now are they shippid on the see 

' And wendyn ouyr the water wyde ; 
Off* benwyke whan they myght se, 

Withe grete Route they gonne vp Ryde ; 2535 

wft^stode hem neyther stone ne tre, 

Bot brente and slow on Iche A syde ; 
launcelot is in hys beste Cyte, 

There he batelle woUe A-byde. 2539 

(319) 
launcelot clepis hys knyghtis kene, 

His erlys And hys barons bolde, 
Bad hem ordeyne hem by-twene, 

To wete her wylle, what they wolde, 2543 

To Ryde A-jeyne hem AH by dene 

Or ther worthe walles holde ; 
For woH: they wiste, wit^uten wene, 

For no fantyse Arthur nold folde. 2547 

(320) 
Bors de gawnes, the noble knyght, 

stomnoly spekys in that stounde : 
" Doughty men that ye be dyghte, 

Foundis your worship for to fownd, 2551 



Lancelot holds a co^c^icil. 



77 



Withe spere and shelde and armes bryght 
A-3eyne your fo-men for to fownd ; 

Kynge and duke, erle and knyglit, 

We shaH hem bete And brynge to grounde." 



2555 



(321) 
Lyonelle spekys in that tyde, 

That was of* warre wyse And bolde : 
* ' Lordyngis, yet I rede we byde 

And oure worthy walles holde ; 2559 

Le[t] them pryke vfith AH ther pryde 

Tylle they haue Caught bothe hungre and colde ; 
Than shati we oute vppon them Ryde 

And shredde them downe as shepe in folde." 2563 

(322) 

Syr banndemagew, that bolde kynge, 

To launeelot spekys in that tyde : 
" Syr, cortessye And your sufferynge 

Has wakend vs wo futi wyde ; 2567 

Awise you welle vppon thys thynge : 

Yiff* that they ouer oure landys Ryde, 
AH to noght they myght vs brynge, 

Whyle we in holys here vs hyde." 2571 



Lyonelle 
thinks it 
better to re- 
main witliia 
their walls 
until the 
invaders are 
tired out. 



and then 
attack them. 



Bannde- 
magevr says, 
however, that 
in the mean- 
whUe the 
land will 
have been 
destroyed. 



(323) 
Galyhud, that Ay was goode. 

To launeelot he spekys thare : 
** Syr, here ar knyghtis of kynges blode 

That longe wylle not droupe And dare ; 
Gyffe me leue, for crosse on Rode 

Withe my men to them to fare ; 
Thoughe they be wers than outlawes wode, 

I shall them sle and make fuH: bare." 



Galyhud is 
also in favour 
of an imme- 
diate attack. 



2575 



2579 



(324) 
Off northe gales were bretherne seuen, 

Ferly mekelle of strenghe and pryde ; 
Not fuH fele that men coude neuyne 

Better dorste in bataile byde ; 



and so are 
the seven 
brothers of 
North Gales. 



2583 



78 Lancelot sends a damsel to negotiate a truce. 



[iMfllS] 



Lancelot l« 
in favour of 
•Uying 
within the 
walU and 
negotiating 
for peace. 



AH they sayd wiUi one steuen : 

" Lordyngw, how longe wolle ye chyde I 

Launcelot, for goddys loue in heuen 

With galehud forthe lette vs Hyde." 2587 

(325) 
Than spake the lorde that was so hende, 

Hym-Self , syr launcelot de lake : - 
" Lordyngw, A whyle I rede we lende 

And oure worthy wallys wake; 2591 

A message wile I to them sende, 

A trews be-twene vs for to take ; 
my lord is so corteise and hende 

That yit I hope A pees to make ; 2595 



for enough 
people have 
been killed 
nlrenily. 



(326) 
Thoughe we myght the worshyppe wynne, 

Off A thynge myn hert is sore : 
Thys land is of* folke futi thynne, 

Bataylles has it made futi bare ; 2599 

Wete ye welle it were grete synne 

Crysten folke to sle thus more ; 
Withe myldenesse we shati be-gynne 

And god shati wische vs wele to fare." 2603 

(327) 
And at thys Assent Att they ware, 
And Sotte A wacche for to wake, 
knyglitw brome as Any bare 

And dorib of drede as is the drake ; 2607 

uiid H (iNinNei A DaniysoUe thay dede be ^are 
rawgea truwe, And hastely gon her lettres make ; 
A niaydo sholdo on the message tare 

A trows by-twene them for to take. 2611 

(328) 
The nmydo was futi shene to shewe, 

Vppon hor stede whan she was sette, 
Hyr paraylle Ati of one hewe, 

Off* A grono weluette, 2615 



I«nn(u>lt)t'i 
iMMiniel pre* 
vaili, 



The damsel goes to the King, 



79 



In hyr hand A braunche newe, 

For- why that no man sholde her lette ; 

Ther-by men messangerys knewe 
In ostes whan that men them mette. 



2619 



(329) 
The kynge was lokyd in A felde 

By A ryuer brode And dreghe ; 
A while she houyd And by-helde ; 

Pavylons were pyghte on hyghe ; 2623 

She saughe there many comly telde 

Wythe pomelles bryghte as goldis beghe ; 
On one hynge the kyngis shelde, 

That pauylon she drew hyr nyghe. 2627 

(330) 
The kynges baner oute was sette, 

That pauylon she drewe her nere ; 
With A knyght* f uti sone she mette, 

hyght Syr lucan de bottelere ; 
She hailsed hym and he her grette, 

The mayde vfiih f uti mylde chere ; 
hyr erande was not for to lette, 

he wiste she was A messcngere. 

(331) 
Sir lucan downe gan hyr take 

And in hys Armes forthe gan lede ; 
hendely to her he spake. 

As knyght that wise was vndyr wede : 2639 

" Thou comeste from launcelot de lake, 

The beste that euyr strode on stede ; 
Ihe«u, for hys modyris sake, 

Yiffe the grace wele to spede ! " 2643 

(332) 
Feyre was pight vppon a playne 

The paviloun in Ryche A-parayle ; 
The kynge hym-selfe and syr gawayne 

Comely sytten in the halle ; 2647 



Slie ap- 
proaches the 
king's 
pavilion. 



[leaf 118, bk.] 



and meets 
with Sir 
2o31 Lucan de 
Bottelere 
there. 



2635 



He praises 
Lancelot, 



and oonducts 
her to the 
king. 



80 



Thr m^goiiaium^ 



arrraad. 



and the 
plMdsfor 

mooths* 
trace. 



and peace 
afterwards. 



In that event 
Lancelot, she 
says, will 
spend the 
remainder of 
his life in the 
Holy Land. 



[leaf 119]:; 

The king is 
inclined to 
accept these 
terms. 



but Gawayne 
is not.; 



The mavde kneird the kynge A-gayne, 

So lowe to grotinde gan she falle ; 
here lettres were not for to layne, 

They were I-rade A-monge hem AH. 2651 

(333) 
hendly and fevre the majden spake, 

FuH favne of speche she wold he sped : 
** Syr, god vow saue from wo And wrake 

And Att your knyghtis in Eyche wede ; 2655 

Yow gret/* wele, syr laimcelot du lake, 

That wtt/t yow hathe hene euyr at nede ; 
A xii monthe trewse he wolde take 

To lyue vppon hys owne lede, 2659 

(334) 
And sythen, yiffe ye make an heste, 

he wille it holde vfiVi hys honde, 
By-twene you for to make pees 

StabuUy euer for to stonde ; 2663 

He wolle Rape hym on A Resse 

Myldely to the holy londe, 
There to lyue, witA-outen lese, 

Whyle he is man lyvande." 2667 

(335) 
The kynge than clepid hys counsayle, 

Hys doujty knyghtis Alt by-dene ; 
Fyrste he sayde, wet/i-outen fayle : 

** me thynke it were beste to sene ; 2671 

he were A fole, wit/i-outen fayle, 

So feyr forwardys for to fleme.'* 
The kynge the messyngere thus did assayle : 

" It were pite to sette warre vs by-twene." 2675 

(336) 
" Sertw, nay," sayd syr gawayne, 

** lie hathe wroght me wo I-noughe, 
So traytoMrly he hathe my bredren slayne, 

AH for your loue, str, that is treuthe, 2679 



who ciurries 
the day, how- 
ever. 



The King declines Lancelot's offer of peace. 81 

To yngland witi I not tome A-gayne 

Tylle he be hangid on a boughe ; 
Whyle me lastethe mygbt or mayne, 

There-to I shati fynd peple I-noghe.'' 2683 

(337) 
The kynge hym-self, w^t/l-owten lese, 

And Icbe A lord, is nought to layne, 
AH they spake to haue pese, aii are in 

But hym-self, syr gawayne, 2687 gfr*Gi?w?nl 

To batayle hathe he made hys best 

Or ellys neuer to tome A-gayne. 
They made hem Kedy to that Rese, 

There-fore was fele folke vnfayne. 2691 

(338) 
The kynge is comyn in-to the balle 

And in hys Royati see hym sette ; 
He made A knyght the mayden calle, 

Syr lucane de botteler, wM-outen lette : 2695 

" Say to launcelot and hys knyghtes AH, The king 

sends Lan* 

suche an heste I haue hym hette, ceiot word 

*' ' that they are 

That we shall wend for no walle determined 

on battle. 

Tyll we with mjghtis onys haue mette." 2699 

(339) 
The mayde had byr Answere, The damsel 

. , , retams sor- 

Withe drery hert she gan hyr dyght ; rowfoiiy with 

byr f eyr palfrey f ande she yare, 'o i-anoeiot. 

And Syr lucan ledde hyr thedyr Ryght ; 2703 

So throw A foreste gan she fare 

And hasted her with AH hyr myghf, 
There launcelot and hys knyghtw were, 

In benwyk the browgh with bemys bryghf. 2707 

(340) 
Now is she went with-ia the walle,] 

The worthy damysselle f ayre in wede ; 
Hendely she Cam in-to that balle, [leaf iia.bk. 

A knyght byr toke downe of byre stede ; 2711 

MORTE ARTHUR. O 



82 



Arthur besieges the castle. 



A-monge the prync/d proude in palle 
She toke hyr lettres for to Rede ; 
aud he and There was no counsayle for to calle, 

his men pre- *" ' 

pare for the 

fight. 



But Redely buskin them to that dede ; 



Arthur be- 
sides Lance- 
lot in his 
castle, 



and gets 
ready to 
make an 
assault. 



Lancelot re- 
strains his 
men from 
rushing 
forth.. 



Gawayne 
offers a chal- 
lenge to the 
knights of 
Lancelot's 
party. 



(341) 
As folkys that preste were to feight, 

Frome feld wold they neuyr fle ; 
But by the morow that day was lyght 

A-boute by-segyd was AH there Fee ; 
ychone theym ^ Rayed in Ati Ryghtts ; 

novther party thought to flee. 

[ 

no gap in the MS.] 



(342) 
Erly as the day gan sprynge, 

The trompett^> vppon the wallis went ; 
There myght they se a wondyr thynge, 

Off teldys Riche and ma[n]y A tente. 
Syr arthur than, the comely kynge, 

with hys folkts ther was lente, 
To yeff Assaute, wit/i-oute lesyng, 

with Alblasters and bowes bente. 

(343) 
Launcelot Ati for-wondred was 

Off* the folke by-fore the walle ; 
But he had rather knowew that rease, 

Oute had ronne hys knyghtts AM ; 
he sayd : ** pry nets, bethe in pease, 

For f olyse f ele that myght by-falle ; 
yiff thay witi not ther sege sease, 

Futi sore I hope for-thynke hem shati.*' 

(344) 
Than gawayne, that was good at euery nede, 

Graythid hym in hys gode Armour, 
And styffly sterte vppon A stede 

That syker was in ylke A stoure ; 

1 MS. theyne. 



2715 



2719 

2721 
2721 & 
2721c 



2725 



2729 



2733 



2737 



2741 



Gawayne overthrows Bors and Lyonnelle. 



83 



Forthe he sprange as sparke on glede, 
By-fore the yates a-gayne the toure ;. 

he had A knyght come kythe mayne, 
A cours of* werre for hys honoure. 



2745 



(345) 
Bors de gawnes huskys hym howne 

Vpow A stede that shuld? hym here, 
WM hehne, sheld, And hauherke hrowne, 

And in hys hand A Futi good spere ; 2749 

Owte he Kode A grete Eandowne ; 

Gawayn kyd he covde of* werre ; 
hors and man hothe hare he downe, 

Suche A dynte he yaffe hym there. 2753 



Bora accepts 
it, and is 
overthrown. 



(346) 
Syr lyonelle was Ati redy than 

And for hys hroder was wonder woo ; 
Redely w^t7^ hys stede oute Eanne 

And wende gawayne for to sloo. 
Gawayn hym kepte as he wele can, 

As he that ay was kene and thro ; 
Downe he hare hothe hors and man). 

And euery day som seruyd he soo. 



and when 
Lyonelle goes 

[leaf 120] 
to his 
brother's 

2757 the same fate 
befidls him. 



2761 



(347) 
And so more than halfe a yere, 
As longe as they thepe layne, 
Euery day men myghy se there 

Men wonndyd and/som slayne, 2765 

But how that euer in/ world it were, 

Suche grace had sir gawayne, 
Eu6r he passyd hole and clere ; 
. There myght no mkw stand hyw Agayne. 2769 

W8) 
Than it hy-Felle vpown X tyde, 

Syr gawayne, that was Ktode andfree, 
He made hym redy for to Ky^^e 

By-fore Uie gatw of the Cyte >^ 2773 



Fighting 
went on 
thus for more 
than half a 

Dot 6awayne 
always 
escaped in- 
jury. 



One day he 
issnes a 
oballenge to 



•sptdally. 



84 Za/uxlot's combat tcith (kkwayju, 

Launcelot of treson he be-Cryed 

That he had slajne hys bretheme thre, 

That launcelot my^te no lenger A-byde, 

But he euer A cowarde scholde be. 2777 

(349) 
The lord that grete was of honoure, 
Hym-selffe, str launcelot du Like, 
A-bove the gat/« vppon the toure 
Lancelot ex- Comely to the kynge he spake : 2781 

sorrow to the <* My lord, god saue youre honoure ! 

king tbftt be ^ ' ^ •' 

hM to »c- Me ys wo now for yowre sake, 

A-gaynste thy kynne to stonde in stoure, 

But nedys I muste thys batayle take." 2785 

(350) 
und iroet Launcelot armyd hym futt wele, 

forth In fan ^ „ , ^ ^ ^r . / 

ftrmour For sothe had FuM grete nede, 

to meet 

Oeweyne. Helme, hawberke and Ati of stele 

And stifely sterte vppon A stede ; 2789 

Hys hameyse lacked he nener A dele, 

To were wantyd hym no wede, 
No wopyn with All to dele ; 

for-thc he sprange as sparke on glede. 2793 

(351) 
Than was it wamyd faste on hye 

How in world that it shupjd fare, 
That no man schold come hem nye 

Tyllo the tone dede or yolden were. 2797 

Kolko w/t/Mlrow them than bye, 
Vpon the fold was brode and bare ; 
(iimriio.hk.) Tho knyghtw mette, As men it syc, 

how tlM\y sotte there dyntw sare. 2801 

(352) 
u wNi » Tluvn htul Myr gawayne suche a grace, 
th V? u**'**'" An lioly man had boddyn that bone, 

hXiillr '^''^*»»'^ '»o bIiuUI batayle done, 2805 

ur nuuii, 



Lancelot overthrows Gawayne. 



85 



Hys strength shuUd wex in suche A space, 

From the vndyr-tyme tylle none, 
And launcelot for-hare ay for that case ; 

A-gayne xx strokys he yaff* not one : 2809 

(353) 
Launcelot saw ther was no socoure, 

nedysse muste he hys venture Abyde ; 
many A dynt he gan wele in-dure 

Tylle it drew nere the noon tyde ; 2813 

Than he straught in that stoure 

And yaflfe gawayne A wond wyde ; 
The blode AH coueryd hys coloure 

And he felle downe vpon hys syde. 2817 



Lancelot, 
knowing this, 
endeavours 
simply to 
defend liim- 
self up to 
noon, 

but, being 
pressed. 



lie severely 
wounds 
Gawavne, 
who falls to 
the ground. 



(354) 
Throw the helme in-to the hede 

Was hardy gawayne woundyd so 
That vnneth was hym lyfe leuyd ; 

On fote myght he no ferther goo ; 
But wightly hys swerd A-bowte he wavyd, 

For euer he was bothe kene and thro, 
launcelot than hym lyAnd levyd ; 

For AH the world he nold hym slo. 



2821 



Lancelot will 
not slay 
2825 Gawayne, 



(355) 

launcelot than hym drew on dryhe ; 

hys swerd was in hys hand drawen ; 
And syr gawayne cryed lowde on hye : 

** Traytowr And coward, come A-gayne, 2829 

Whan I Am hole And goynge on hye ; 

Than wylle I prove wit^ myght and mayne. 
And yit A thow woldyst nyghe me nye, 

Thow shalt wele wete I am not slayn." 2833 

(366) 
** Gawayne, while thow myghtw styfflye stonde, 

many A stroke to-day of the I stode, 
And I for-bare the in euery londe 

For love and for the kyngw blode ; 2837 



although 
Gawayne 
continues to 
defy him. 



He tells 
Qawayne to 
change his 
mood, 



86 Gawayne cludlenges Lancelot a second time. 



Whan thou arte hole in herte and hond, 
I rede the tome and chaunge thy mode ; 
[leaf 121] Whyle I am launcelot and man levande, 

Gode sheld me frome werkys wode ! 2841 

(357) 
But have good day, my lord the kynge, 

And your doughty knyghtw AUe ; 
Wendy th home A leue youre werryeng ; 

ye Wynne no worshyp at thys walle ; 2845 

And I wold my knyghtw oute brynge, 

I wote f uH sore rewe it ye shalle ; 
Lly lord, there- fore, thynke on suche thynge, 

how fele folke there-fore myght falle." 2849 



and adviaeg 
theldnff to 
return home. 



Lancelot's 
kniffhU 
receive him 
joyfully, 



and Oawayne 
is borne back 
to his tent. 



Gawayne is 
ill for a fort- 
night, 



but at the 
end of that 
time he 
again chal- 
lenges Lan- 
celot. 



(358) 
launcelot, that was moche of mayne 

Boldely to hys Cyte wente ; 
Hys good kny^tw [there]-of were fayne 

And hendely hym in armys hente. 
The tother party tho toke syr gawayne, 

They wessche hys woundys in hys tente ; 
Or euer he coueryd myght or mayne, 

vnnethe was hym the lyffe lente. 

(359) 
A fortenyght, the sothe to saye, 

Full passynge seke and vn-sonde 
There syr Gawayne on lechynge laye, 

Or he were hole AH of hys wounde. 
Than it by-felle vppon A day, 

he made hym Redy for to wound ; 
By-fore the yat he toke the way 

And Askyd batayle in that stownd : 



2853 



2857 



2861 



2865 



(360) 
** Come forthe, launcelot, and p7*ove thy mayne. 

Thou traytow that hast treson wroght ; 
my thre brethern thou haste slayne 

And falsly theym to ground[e] brought; 2869 



The second combat. 



87 



Whyle me lastethe myght or niayne, 

Thys qareli leve wyti I noght, 
Ne pees shall ther neuer be sayne 

Or thy sydes be throw sought." 2873 

(361) 
Than launcelot thoght it no thyng gode 

And for these wordw he was fuH wo ; 
A-bove the gatis than he yode 

And to the kynge he sayd so : 2877 

" Syr, me rewys in my mode 

That gawayne is in hert so thro. 
Who may me wyte, for corsse on Eode, 

Thou^th I hym in bataylle sloo 1 " 2881 

(362) 
Launcelot buskyd And made hym bowne, 

he will: boldely the batayle A-byde, 
With helme, shelde And hauberke browne, 

None better in AH thys world [e] wyde, 
With spere in hand and gonfanowne, 

hys noble swerd by hys syde ; 
Oute he Rode A grete randowne, 

Whan he was Redy for to Ryde. 

(363) 
Gawayne grypes a fuH good spere 

And in he glydes glad and gay ; 
Launcelot kydde he coude of were 

And euyn to hym he takys the way ; 2893 

So stoutely they gan to-geder here 

That marvayle it was, sothe to say ; 
With dyntis sore ganne they dere 

And depe wondys daltyn thay. 2897 

(364) 
Whan it was nyghed nere-hand none, 

Gawayne strenghe gan to in-crese ; 
So bitterly he hewyd hym vppon 

That launcelot AH for-wery was ; 2901 



Lancelot 
again ex- 
preswshU 
sorrow to the 
king that 
Qawavne 
shoold he so 
implacable. 



Deaf 121, bk.] 
but has to 
ride forth 
^r^rs^ for a second 
2885 combat. 



2889 



Theflght 
takes place, 



andOn- 
wayne's 
strength, 
as usual, 
increases up 
to noon. 



88 



Gawayru is again vanquished. 



boweTer, 
■trikea, 
Qawayiie a 
blow 



on the old 
wound, so 
thatOa- 
wayne lay 
groaning on 
tne ground. 



Than to hys swerd he grypes A-none, 
And sethe that gawayne wyH not sese, 

Suche A dynte he yafife hym one 

That many a Eyche Rewed that resse. 

(365) 
launcelot sterte forthe in that stowndc, 

And sethe that gawayne wili no sease, 
The helme that was Ryche and Eownde 

The noble 8werd[e] rove that rease ; 
he hyt hym A-pon the olde wounde 

That oner the sadyli downe he wente 
And grysely gronyd vpon the ground, 

And there was good gawayne shent. 



2905 



2909 



2913 



(366) 
yQ ther 
Gryped to hym bothe swerde And sheld ; 



He, nevertiie- yit gawayne swounynge there as he lay 

tinoes to defy 
Lancelot, 

** lancelot," he sayd, ^* sothely to saye, 



[leaf 122] 
who answers 
him in a 
chivalrous 
ner. 



And by hym that AH thys world shaH welde, 
Whyle me lastethe lyffe to-daye, 

To the me shall I neuer yeld? ; 
But do the werste that euyr thou may, 

I schati defend me in the felde." 

(367) 
Launcelot than) futi styH stoode, 

As man that was moche of myght : 
" Gawayne, me rewes in my mode, 

Men hald the so noble A knyght. 
Wenystow I were so wode 

Agaynste A feble man to fyght? 
I wytt not now, by crosse on Eode, 

Nor neuer yit dyd by day nor nyght. 



(368) 
Lancelot But haue good day, my lord the kynge, 
Peking to And AH youre dou^ty knyghtis by-dene, 

stop the war. Wendy th home and leue your werrynge, 
For here ye shaH no worshyppe wynne. 



2917 



2921 



2925 



2929 



2933 



News of MordredJs treason is Irought 



89 



yif I wolde my knyghtw oute brynge, 

1 hope fuli sone it sbuld be sene, 
but, good lord, thynke vppon A thynge, 

The loue that bathe be vs by-twene." 2937 

(369) 
After was it monthes two, 

As frely folke it vndyr-stode,^ 
Or euer gawayne myght Eyde or go 

Or had fote vpon erthe to stonde, 2941 

The thirde^ tyme he was fuH thro 

To do batayle with herte and hande, 
But than was word come7i hem to 

That they muste home to yngland. 2945 

(370) 
Suche mesage was hem brought, 

There was no man that thought it goode ; 
The kynge hym-selfe futi sone it thought 

(Fun moche morn yd he in hys mode 2949 

That suche treson in ynglond shuld be wroght^) 

That he moste nedys ouer the flode. 
They brake sege and homward sought*. 

And After they had moche Angry mode. 2953 

(371) 
That fals traytowr, sir mordreid — 

The kynges soster sone he was. 
And eke hys owne sowne, As I rede — 

There-fore men hym fo[r] steward chase — 2957 

So falsely bathe he yngland ledde, 

Wete yow wele, w^tA-outen lese, 
Hys Eme-is wyffe wolde he wedde, 

That many A man rewyd that rease. 2961 

(372) 
Festys made he, many and fele. 

And grete yif tys he yafe Also ; 
They sayd \Yith hym was loye and wele 

And in Arthurs tyme but sorow and woo ; 2965 

^ Perhaps the mark indicating n over the o ha^ been left out. 
The analogy, however, of II. 3062^. speaks against this. 

2 MS. iij. 



Two months 
later Ga- 
wayne was 
eager for still 
a third com- 
bat with 
Lancelot, 



but news 
from Eng- 
land prevents 
this. 



This news is 
concerning 
Mordred's 
treason, 
how he 
wished to 
wed the 
queen. 



He had so 
ingratiated 
himself by 
gifts and 
[leaf 122, bk.] 
feasts that 
the people 
now pre- 
ferrea him 
to Arthur. 



90 Moi'dred has himself proclaimed kinff. 

And thus gan Ryght to wronge goo ; 

AH the concelle, is noght to hcle, 
Thus it was, wtt7<-outen moo, 

To hold mordred in londe wtt/i wele. 



2969 



He has lalw 
letters writ- 
ten to the 
effect that 
Arthar U 
dead, and a 
new king 
must be 
chosen. 



The people 
RladlV mak 
Mordred 



king. 



and, after 
holding a 
feast in 
Canterbury, 
he goes to 
Winchester. 



He has it 
proclaimed 
that he is 
going to 
marry his 
father's wife, 



(373) 
False lettres he made be wroght*, 

And causyd messangers hem to brynge, 
That Arthur was to grownde broght, 

And chese they muste A-nother kynge. 
AH thay sayd as hem thought : 

** Arthur louyd noght but warynge 
And suche thynge as hym-selfe soght. 

Ryght so he loke hys endynge." 

(374) • 
mordred let crye A parlement ; 

The peple gan thedyr to come, 
And holly throwe there assente 

They made mordred kynge w^t7^ crowne ; 
At canturbery, ferre in kente, 

A Fourtenyght held the feste in towne, 
And after that to Wynchester he wente ; 

A Ryche brydale he lette make bowne ; 

(375) 
In somyr, whan it was fayr and bryght, 

Hys faders wyfe than wold he wedde 
And hyr hold wzt/i mayne and myght, 

And so hyr brynge as byrd to bedde. 



2973 



2977 



2981 



2985 



and the queen Sche prayd hym of* leue A fourtenyght — ^ 
disfrSs? The lady was full hard be-stad — 

So to london sche hyr dyghf, 

That she and hyr maydens myght be cledd. 



2989 



2993 



She shuts 
herself up in 
the tower of 
London, 



(376) 
The queue, whyte as lyly floure, 

Wtt/i knyghti^ fele of her kynne, 
She went to london to the towre 

And speryd the gates And dwellyd therin. 



2997 



The Archbishop of Canterbury has to fiee. 



91 



3005 



Mordred changed than hys coloure, 

Thedyr he went and wold not blynne j 
There-to he made many A shoure, 

But the wallys myght he neuer wynne. 3001 

(377) 
The Archebysshop of canterbery thedyr yode, 

And hys crosse by-fore hym broght*. 
he sayd : " syr, for cryste on Eode, 

What haue ye now Ati in your thoght* 1 
Thy faders wyffe, whether thou be wood, 

To wedd her now mayste -thou noght*. 
Come Arthur euyr ouer the flood, 

Thow mayste be bold, it wyH be boghf." 

(378) 
" A nyse clerke,*' than mordred sayd, 

" Trowiste thow to wame me of my wille ? 
be hym that for vs suflEred payne, 

These wordys shalt thou lyke fuH ylle ! 
wM wilde hors thou shalt be drayne 

And hangyd hye vpon An hylle." 
The bischoppe to fle than was fayne 

And suffred hym hys folyes to fulfylle ; 3017 



and Mordred 
cannot get 
at her. 



The Arch- 
bishop of 
Canterbury 
rebukes him 
for, wishing 
to marry his 

[Ieafl2S] 
father's wife, 



3009 



bat Mordred 
replies by 
threats 
against the 
archbishop, 
who takes 

3013 fli«^*- 



(379) 
Than he hym cursyd wzt/i boke And belle, 

At caunterbery, ferre in kente. 
Sone, whan mordred herd ther-of telle, 

To seche the bisschoppe hathe he sent ; 3021 

The bysshop durste no lenger dwelle 

But gold And syluer he hathe hent ; 
There was no lenger for to spelle, 

But to A wyldernesse he is went ; 3025 



When the 
archbishop 
reaches Can- 
terbury, he 
excommu- 
nicates 
Mordred, 
but, being 
pursued, 
has to take 
reftage in a 
wilcterness. 



(380) 
The worldys wele ther he wyH for-sake. 

Off loye kepeth he neuer more. 
But A chapelle he lette make 

By-twene two hye holtys hore ; 3029 



There he has 
a chapel 
made, and 
lives as a 
hermit. 



92 



Arthur returns to England. 



Mordred can- 
not obtain 
possession of 
the tower 
of London, 



and in his 
fear of 
Arthur gets 
ready to 
keep him out 
of the king- 
dom. 



There-in weryd he the clothys hlake, 
In wode as he an ermyte ware ; 

Often gan he wepe and wake 

For yngland that had suche sorowis sare. 

(381) 
Mordred had than lyen fuH longe, 

But the towre myght* he neuer wynne, 
W^t^ strength ne vfiili stoure stronge, 

ne vfith none other kynnes gynne ; 
Hys fader dred he euyr A-monge, 

There-fore hys bale he nylle not hlynne ; 
He went to warne hem AH w^t^ wronge 

The kyngdome that he was crownyd inne. 



(382) 
Forthe to dover fan gan he Eyde, 

AH the costys wele he kende ; 
To erlys And to barons on ylk A syde 
[leaf 128, bk.] Grete yiftis he gaffe And lettres send, 
And for-sette the see on ylke A syde 
y^iih bold men And bowes bente ; 
Fro yngland, that is bode And wyde, 
hys owne fader he \/ d deffend. 



V Arthur re- 

, tarns to 

. England, 

\ and is pre- 

A vented from 

(I landing at 

\ Dover. 



He lands 

elsewhere, 

however. 



(383) 
Arthur, that was mykelle of myght, 

"Wiih hys folke come over the flode, 
An C galeyse that were welle dyght 

'With barons bold And hye of blode ; 
he wende to haue landyd, as it was Ryght, 

At Dower, ther liym thoght futt gode, 
And ther he fande many An hardy knyght 

That styflfe in stoure A-gaynste hym stode. 

(384) 
Arthur sone hathe take the land 

That hym was leveste in to lende ; 
hys fele fomen that he ther found, 

he wende by-fore had bene hys frend. 



3033 



3037 



3041 



3045 



3049 



3053 



3057 



3061 



The first battle and Gawayne's death. 



The kynge was wrothe And weliney wode, 

And vfiih hys men he gan vp wend ; 
So strong A stoure was vpon that stronde 

That many A man ther had hys end. 3065 

(385) 
Syr gawayne armyd hym in that stouMe ; 

Alias ! to longe hys hede was bare ; 
he was seke And sore vnsond ; 

hys woundis greuyd hym futi sare ; 3069 

One hytte hym vpon the olde wounde 

W^t^ A tronchon of An ore j , 

There is good gawayne gone to grouwde, , 

That speche spake he neuyr more. 3073 

(386) 
Bold men, wtt^ bowes bentte, 

Boldely vp in botes yode, 
And Ryche hauberkis they Ryve and Eente, 

that Throw-owte braste the Eede blode ; 3077 

Grouwden gleyves throw hem wente ; 

Tho games thoght theym nothynge gode ; 
But by that strong stoure was stente, 

The stronge stremys Ran Ati on blode. 3081 

(387) 

Arthur was so moche of myght, 

Was ther none that hym wtt^-stode ; 
He hewyd vppon ther helmes bryght, 

That throw ther brestes Ran the blode ; 
By than that endyd was the fight, 

The false were feld, som wer fledde 
To canterbery AH that nyght, 

To wame ther master, syr mordred. 

(388) 
Mordred than made hym bowne 

And boldely he wylle batayle A-byde, 
WM helme, scheld. And hauberke browne ; 

So AH hys Rowte gan forthe Ryde ; 3093 



93 



and prepares 
for battle. 



In the fight 
Gawayne is 
hit on the 
old wound, 
and never 
speaks again. 



The battle is 
severe. 



bat in the 
end Mor- 
oOoO dred's men 
are defeated. 

[leaf 124] 



3089 



Mordred now 

goes forth 
imselftothe 
battle, 




•Z-C7-2LL7 ^ai*7 ria :ii-»l7T RjiL* : 3097 

A3»i 3i»:rrr^ Moixa. ja: lasi riT, 

JU ^ra.ri:<i-r ^aiis in* ti^ ii ^^^ 3101 

Will iifcl n id* Tr*ie aiyzL- sij* 

Tbii: ^zti2A A iiccTft nievifr he irghe. 3105 

Ar^ir iLiz. £i3:zi* witA kert ^Md — 

A Epjbler kz^T^fi WHS jutT3gr noos^ ; 
TLrow belmes is.-co h.<iie jt joode 

And sserrd kiiTciiu# liofiae bi«>ie And bone. 3109 
mordred for wradie was nye wode, 

CallTd hjs f oike And sivd to hem One : 
" EeleTe tow, for cioese on Rode ! 

Alas ! thjs daj so sone is gocme ! " 3113 

(391) 
Fele men 1 jeth on l)ankjs bare 

WttA bryght brondys throw-owte borne ; 
and many Many A doQghty man dede was thar. 

And many A lord hys lyfe bathe lome ; 3117 

mordred was f uH of sorowe And care ; 

At canterbery was he vpon the mome ; 
And Arthur AH nyght he dwellyd thare, 

Hye frely folke lay hym by-fome. 3121 



(392) 

Artburirariet Erely on the morow tyde 

Arthur bad hys homys blowe, 
And callyd folke on euery syde, 

And many A dede beryed on A rowe, 3125 



hiidead, 



Gawayne is buried, and Arthur goes to Salisbury. 95 



In pittes that was depe And wyde ; 

On Iche An hepe they layd hem lowe, 
So Ati that oner gone And Eyde 

Som by there markys men myght knowe. 

(393) 
Arthur went to hys dyner thane — 

hys frely folke hym folowed faste — 
But whan he f and syr gawayne 

In A shyppe laye dede by A niaste, 
Or euyr he coveryd myght or mayne, 

An C tymes hys hert nyghe braste. 

[ 

no gap in the MS.^ 



[leaf 124, Wc.] 



3129 



but when he 
«ir»« finds Ga- 
ol O 3 wayne among 

them, his 

heart almost 

broke. 



3135 6 
3135 c 



(394) 
Thay layd syr gawayne vpon A here 

And to the casteti they hym bare, 
And in A chapeti A-mydde the quere 

That bold baron they beryed thare. 
Arthur than changyd AH hys chere ; 

What wondyr thoghe hys hert was sare ! 
hys suster sone, that was hym dere, 

Off hym shold he here neuyr mare. 

(395) 
Syr Arthur, he wolde no lenger A-byde ; 

Than had he AH maner of euyli Keste ; 
He sought aye forthe the southe syde 

And toward walys wente he weste ; 
At salusbury he thought to byde, 

At that tyme he thought was beste, 
And calle to hym by Whytesontyde 

Barons bold to batayle preste. 

(396) 
Vnto hym came many A doughty knyght, 

For wyde in worlde theyse wordys sprange, 
That syr Arthur hade AH the Kyght, 

And mordred warred on hym wtt/i wronge. 



3139 



They lay 
Gawayne's 
dead body 
on a bier, 
and beai^ it to 
a chapel in 
the castle. 



3143 



Arthur'ffoes 
in the direc- 
tion of Wales, 
and intends 
to stop at 
Salisbury 
3147 to gather 
*^^^' together his 
forces there. 



3151 



Many bold 

kuighti 

Arthur. 



knights Join 



3155 



96 



Arthurs vision of the tcheel. 



It is Axed 
that there U 
to be a battle 
aft«r the 
feast of the 
Trinity. 



Hydowse it was to se wtt^ syght, 
Artlmr-is oste was brode And longe, 

And mordred that was mykett of myght 
Wtt/< grete gyftes made hym stronge. 

(397) 
Sone After the feste of the trynyte 

Was A batayle by-twene hem sette, 
That A steme batayle ther shuld be ; 

For no lede wold they it lette ; 
And syr Arthur makethe game And glee 

For myrth that they shuld be mette ; 
And syr mordred can to the contre, 

Wit/fc fele folke that ferre was fette. 



3159 



3163 



3167 



The night 
before the 

[leafl25] 
battle 
Arthur has 
a vision. 



He thought 
that he was 



crowned on 
a great wheel. 



(398) 
At nyght whan Arthur was brought in bedd — 

He shuld haue batayle vppon the morow — 
In stronge sweu[en]ys he was by-stedde, 

That many A man that day shuld haue sorow ; 3171 
hym thowht he satte in gold Ati gledde, 

As he was comely kynge yfi\h crowne, 
vpon A whele that fuH; wyde spredd, 

And AH; hys knyghtis to hym bowne. 3175 



Down below 
him tliere 
was a black 
water fUll of 
dragons. 



(399) 
The whele was ferly Kyche And Rownd, 

In world was neuyr none halfe so hye ; 
There-on he satte Rychely crownyd 

W*t/i many A besaunte broche And be ; 
he lokyd downe vpon the grownd, 

A blake water ther vndyr hym he see, 
"With dragons fele there lay vn-bownde, 

That no man durst hem nyghe nyee. 



3179 



3183 



The wheel 
turned, and 
the dragons 
caught him 
by the limbs. 



(400) 
he was wondyr ferd to falle 

A-monge the fendys ther that faught ; 
The whele ouer-tomyd ther wtt/^-AH 

And eueryche by A lymme hym caught. 



3187 



Gawayne. appears to the King in a vision. 



97 



The kynge gan lowde crye And calle, 
As marred man of* wy tte vn-saught ; 

hys cliambjrrlayns wakyd hym ther wztA-AH; 
And woodely oute of* hys slepe he raught. 

(401) 
AH; nyght gan he wake And wepe, 

With drery hert And sorowfuH; stevyn,^ 
And A-gaynste day he felle on slepe ; 

A-boute hym was sette tapers sevyn ; 
Hym thought Syr gawayne hym dyd kepe 

With mo folke fan men can nevyn, 
By A Ryuer that was brode And depe ; 

Att semyd Angellys cam from heuyn. 

(402) 
The kynge was neuyr yit so fayne, 

hys soster sone whan that he sye ; 
** Welcome," he sayd, " syr gawayne ; 

And thou myght leue, welle were me. 
Now, leue frend, w^t^-outen layne, 

What Ar tho folke that f olow the 1 " 
^* Sertis, syr," he sayd A-gayne, 

" They byde in blysse ther I motte be. 

(403) 
lordys they were And ladyes hende, 

Thys worldys lyffe that hanne for-lome ; 
Whyle I was man on lyffe to lende, 

A-gaynste her fone I faught hem f ome ; 
now fynde I them my moste Frende : 

They blysse the tyme that I was borne ; 
They Asked leve with me to wende 

To mete with yow vpon thys mome. 

(404) 
A monthe day of* trewse moste ye take 

And than to batayle be ye bayne ; 
yow comethe to helpe lancelot du lake. 

With many A man mykett of mayne : 

^ MS. chere. 
MORTB ARTHUR. 



The king 
cries aloud 
on account 
of his vision, 
and his 
ohamberUins 
3191 awaken liim. 



3195 



but towards 
day he falls 
asleep again 
and has a 
vision of 
Gawayne who 
is followed by 
angels, as it 
seemed. 



3199 



3203 



Gawayne 
explains that 
3207 these are the 
^^^' spirits of 



lords and 
ladies whom 
he had aided 
in life, and 
who are now 
his best 
friends. 



3211 



[leaf 125, bk.] 



3215 



3219 



Gawayne 
exhorts 
Arthur to 
conclude a 
month's 
truce with 
Mordred, 

then have 
Lancelot's 
assistance. 



98 



The King proposes a tncce to Mordred, 



Tb«ldngl« 



•nd tolls his 
lords of what 
Gawayne's 
spirit had 
urged. 



He sends Sir 
Locande 
Botoler and 
others to 



tmoe to 
Mordred. 



They deliver 
the message. 



bat Mordred 

T^ectothe 

proposal. 



To-mome the batayle ye moste for-6ake 

Or eUys, certis, ye shatt be slayne." 
The kynge gan woffully wepe and wake. 

And sayd : « Alias ! thys KewffuH Rayne ! " 3223 

(405) 
hastely hys clothys on hym he dyde, 

And to hys lordys gan he saye : 
<* In stronge sweyneys I haue bene stad. 

That glad I may not for no gamys gaye. 3227 

We muste vnto syr mordred sende 

And founde to take Another day, 
Or trewly thys day I mon be shende, 

Thys know I in bed as I laye. 3231 

(406) 
Goo thow, syr lucan de boteler, 

That wyse wordys haste in wolde, 
And loke that thou take with the here 

Bysshopys fele and barons bolde." 3235 

Forthe went they AH in fere, 

in trew bokys as it is tolde. 
To syr mordred and hys lordig there they were. 

And an C knyghtis AH vn-tolde. 3239 

(407) 
The knyghtw that ware of grete valoure, 

By-fore syr mordred as they stode, 
They gretyn hym with grate honowre, 

As barons bold And hye of blode : 3243 

**Ryght wele the gretys kynge Arthur, 

And praythe the wit^ mylde mode, 
A monethe day to stynte thys stoure, 

For hys loue that dyed on Rode.*' 3247 

(408) 
mordred, that was bothe kene And bolde, 

made hym breme As Any bore at bay, 
And sware by ludas that Ihestis'^ sold : 

** Suche sawes Ar not now to saye ; 3251 



^ Ihc. in MS,i i, e. Jesus Christ, 



A meeting between Arihv/r and Mordred is arranged for. 99 



That he hathe hyght he shaH it hold ; 

The tone of vs shaft dye thys day ; 
And telle hym trewly that I tolde, 

I schatt hym mane, yife that I may J 



3255 



(409) 
" Syr, thay sayd, with-owten lese, 

Thow3 thou And he to batayle howne, 
many A ryche shaH rewe that reasse, 

By Att hy dalte vpon thys downe ; 3259 

yit were it better for to sease, 

And lette [hym] be kynge and here the crowne ; 
And after hys dayes, fuH dredelesse, 

ye to welde AH yngland, towre And towne." 3263 



(410) 
mordred tho stode stylle A whyle, 

And wrothely vp hys eyne there wente, 
And sayd : " wyste I it were hys wyUe 

To yeue me comwale And kente, 
lette vs mete vpon yonder hylle 

And talke to-gedyr with gode entente ; 
Suche f orwardys to f uti-f ylle, 

There-to shaH I me sone Assent. 



(411) 
And yiffe we may wOh spechys spede, 

Wit^ trew trowthes of* entayle, 
hold the bode-worde that we bede, 

To yeue me kente And comwayle, 
Trew loue shaH ther lenge And lende ; 

And, sertis, forwardys yif we fayle, 
Aythur to sterte vppon A stede, 

styffely for to do batayle." 

(412) 
" Sur, wyll ye come in suche maner, 

With xij knyghtw or fourtene, 
Or ellys AH your strenghe in fere. 

With helmes bryght And hauberkys 



3267 



3271 



3275 



3279 



Arthar's 
messengera 
[leaf 126] 
then propose 
a cesMtion of 
war on the 
oonditi<m 
that Arthur 
should role 
the rest of 
his lift, 
bat that 
Mordied 
should be his 



Mordred 
in reply 
says that he 
is willing to 
disooss 
terms, if 
Oomwalland 
Kent be 
ceded him. 



bat that, if 



are violated, 
the war will 
be renewed. 



Arthur's 
knights wish 
to arrange 
about the 



tbedlaonasion 

3283 o'**""- 



100 The King and Mordred prepare to come together. 



Mordred says 
that it must 
take place 
between the 
annies, 
with the 
hosts near 
at hand. 



Arthur's 
messengers 
return to 
him and 
report what 
Mordred has 
said. 



" Se[r]tys, nay," than sayd he thore, 
" Othur warke thou thare not wene, 

But bothe oure hoostis shatt nyghe nere 
And we shalle talke them by-twene." 

(413) 
They toke ther leue, wzt/t-owten lese, 

And wyghtely vpon there way wente ; 
To kynge Arthur the way they chese, 

there that he satte wit/i-in hys tente. 
*' Syr, we haue proferyd pease, 

Yiffe ye wille ther-to Assente : 
Gyffe hym the crowne After your dayes 

And in yower lyffe comwayle and kente ; 

(414) 
To hys by-heste yiffe ye wilt holde, 

And your trouthe trewly ther-to plyght, 
maketh Ati redy your men bolde, 

Wit/i helme, swerd And hauberke bryght ; 
ye schatt mete vppon yone molde 
That ayther oste may se wzt7i syght ; 
[leaf 126, bk.] And yiff jour foreward fayle to holde,^ 
There is no bote but for to fyght." 



3287 



3291 



3295 



3299 



3303 



Arthur gets 
ready for the 
meeting with 
all his host. 



but Mordred 
has twelve 
men to every 
one of 
Arthur's. 



(415) 
But whan Arthur herd thys nevyn, 

Trewly ther-to he hathe swome, 
And Arayed hym with batayles seuyn, 

Wit/i brode baners by-fore hym borne ; 
They lemyd lyght As Any leuyn ^ 

Whan they shold mete vpon the morne. 
There lyves no man vndyr heuyn 

A feyrer syght hath sene by-forne. 

(416) 
But mordred many men had mo ; 

So mordred that was mykeli of mayne, 
he had euyr xij A-gaynste hym two 

Off* barons bold to batayle bayne. 

^ Jhu mere at top of leaf 126, back. 
2 MS. lemyn. 



3307 



3311 



3315 



At the meeting an accident cavMS a misunderstanding, 101 



Arthur And mordred — bothe were thro — 

Shuld mete bothe vpon A playne ; 
The wyse shuld come to And fro 

To make A-cord, the sothe to sayne. 3319 

(417) 
Arthur in hys herte hathe Caste 

And to hys lordis gan he saye : 
" To yonder trayto^^r haue I no truste 

But that he woH vs falselly be-traye, 3323 

yitf we may not oure forwardys faste. 

And ye se any wepyn drayne, 
presythe forthe As pn?ices praste, 

That he & All hys hoste be slayne." 3327 

(418) 
mordred, that was kene And thro, 

hys frely f olke he sayd to-fome : 
" I wote that Arthur is futt woo 

That he hathe thus hys landys lome ; 3331 

Wit^ fourtene knjghtis And no mo 

shall we mete at yondyr thome ; 
yiff Any treason by-twene vs go. 

That brode baners forth be borne." 3335 



Arthur tells 
his lords that 
he distrusts 
Mordred, and 
that at the 
least sign of 
treachery 
they must 
attack their 
enemies 
vigorously. 



Mordred 
expresses the 
same distrust 
of Arthur, 
and gives his 
men the 
same direc- 
tions. 



(419) 
Arthur w^'tJ^ knyghtts fully xiiij, 

To that thome on fote they fonde, 
With helme, sheld, And hauberke shene ; 

Ryght so they trotted vppon fe grownde. 
But As they A-cordyd shulde haue bene, 

An Edder glode forth vpon the grownde ; 
he stange A knyght, that men myght sene 

That he was seke And futi vn-sownde. 



3339 



3343 



Arthur, with 
fourteen 
knights, goes 
to the thorn- 
tree, where 
the meeting 
is to be, 
but, when 
they were 
approaching 
an agreement, 
it happened 
that an adder 
stung one of 
the knights. 



(420) 
Owte he brayed with a swerd bryght ; 

To kylle the Adder had he thogh[t]e ; 
Whan Arthur party saw that syght, 

Frely they to-gedyr sought ; 



who drew his 
sword to kill 
it. 

Arthur's men 
suspect 
3347 treachery 
at once. 



102 Th€ tu:o parties engage in battle. 

{}miitn There was no-ihjnge witA-«tuide thejm myght ; 
The J wend that tzeson had bene wipghte. 
That daj djed many A doo^tj knyght. 

And manj A bolde man was hn^ht to noght. 3351 

(421) 
•fid um two Arthur stert vpon hys stede : 
Meh fl«htr. he gaw no thyng hym wtt^-stand myght ; 

moidred owte of wytte nere yede. 

And wiothely in-to hys sadyii he lyght ; 3355 

Off A-corde was no-ihyng to bede. 

But f ewtred sperys and to-geder sprente ; 
Futt many A doughty man of dede 

Sone there was leyde vpon the bente. 3359 

(422) 
mordred I-maiyd many A man. 

And boldely he gan hys batayle abyde ; 
So stemely oute hys stede Eanne, 

many A rowte he gan throw Eyde ; 3363 

Arthur of* batayle neuyr blanne 
To dele woundys wykke and wyde ; 
Th« bfttue Fro the morow that it by-ganne 

Uatodallday, 

Tylle it was nere the nyghti* tyde, 3367 

(423) 
There was many A spere spente, 

And many A thro word they spake ; 
many A bronde was bowyd and bente 

And many A knyghtw helme they brake ; 3371 

Ryche helmes they Eoffe and rente ; 
The Ryche rowtes gan to-gedyr Rayke, 
and ft hun- An ^ C thousaud vpon the bente ; 
men were The boldest or evyn was made Ryght meke. 3375 



engaged in it. 



(424) 
Sythe bretayne owte of troy was sought 

And made in bretayne hys owne wonne, 
Suche wondrys neuyr ere was wroght, 

Neuyr yit vnder the sonne ; 3379 

1 MS. And. 



Arthur and two knights alone mrvive the battle. 103 



By evyn leuyd was there noght 

That euyr steryd with blode or bone 

But Arthur and ij that he thedyr broghte, 
And mordred was levyd there Alone. 



3383 



By evening 
the only 
survivors 
were Arthur, 
with two of 
his men, and 
Mordred. 



(425) 
The tone was lucan de botelere, 

That bled at many A bale-futt wound, 
And hys brodyr, syr bedwere, 

Was sely seke and sore vnsounde. 3387 

Than spake Arthur these wordys there : 

** ShaH; we not brynge thys theffe to ground! 1 " 
A spere he gryped with feU chere, 

And felly they gan to-gedyr found. 3391 

(426) 
he hytte mordred amydde the breste 

And oute At the bakke bone hym bare ; 
There hathe mordred hys lyffe loste, 

That speche spake he neuyr inare ; 3395 

But kenely vp hys Arme he caste 

And yaff* Arthur A wound sare, 
In-to the hede throw the helme And creste, 

That iij tymes he swownyd thare. 3399 

(427) 
Syr lucan And syr Bedwere 

By-twene theym two the kynge vp-held ; 
So forthe went tho iij in fere, 

And AH were slayne that lay in feld. 
The doughty kynge that was hem dere, 

For sore myght not hym-self weld ; 
To A chapelle they went in fere — 

Off* bote they saw no better held. 

(428) 
AH nyght thay in the chapeHe laye, 

Be the see syde. As I yow newyn, • 
To mary mercy cryand aye, 

WiiJi drery herte and sorowfuH stevyn; 3311 



The com- 
panions of 
Artliur who 
survived 
were Sir 
Lucan de 
Botelere and 
Sir Bedwere, 
and l>oth were 
wounded. 



Arthur assails 
Mordred 



and slays 
him, 

[leafl27,bk.] 
but Arthur 
is himself 
so sorely 
wounded by 
Mordred that 
he swoons 
thrice. 



Sir Lucan 

and Sir 

Bedwere take 
^,^^ the king to a 
3403 chapel. 



3407 



and there 



they lay all 
night praying 
for Arthur. 



104 The death of Sir Lucan de Boteler. 

And to hyr leue sonne gan they pray : 

" Ihesu, for thy namys sevyn, 
Wis hys sowle the Ryght way, 

That he lese not the blysse of heuyn." 3415 

(429) 
Sir Lncan de As svr lucan de boleter stode. 
<*^«« he sey folk vppon playnes hye ; 

ro^»Hftiw Bold barons of bone and blode, 

ntmn on um 

field of battle. jhey Refte ^ theym besaunt, broche, and bee ; 3419 
And to the kynge Agayne thay yode, 

Hym to wame with wordy s slee ; 3421 

[ 342U 

710 gap in tlie MS.^ 3421 c 

(430) 
To the kynge spake he futt styH, 

Rewffully as he myght than Rowne : 
" Sir, I haue bene At yone hylle, 

There fele folke drawen to the downe ; 3425 

I note whedyr they wyH vs good or ylle, 
I rede we buske And make vs bowne, 
end he urges yiff it be your worthy wylle, 
go eiMwhere. That we wende to som towne." 3429 

(431) 
The king bids " Now, syr lucan, As thow Eadde, 

Sir Lucan , ^ , , , -r , m 

Uft him up, lyfte me vp, whyle that I may laste. ' 
Bothe hys Armes on hym he sprad 

WM All hys strengh to hold hym faste. 3433 

The kynge was wondyd and for-bled 

And swownyng on hym hys eyne he caste ; 
bat hii Syr lucan was hard by-stadde: 

embrace killi "^ , , , 

Sir Lucan. He hold the kynge to hys owne herte braste. 3437 

(432) 
Whan the kynge had swounyd there, 

By an Auter vp he stode ; 
Syr lucan, that was hym dere, 
tieafiw] Lay dedo and fomyd in the blode. 3441 

> MS. Reste. 



Arthur charges Sir Bedwere to cast Excalaher irUo the sea. 105 



Hys bold brothyr, Sir Bedwere, 
FuH mykeH momyd in hys mode ; 

For sorow he iny3te not nyghe hym nere, 
But enyr wepyd As he were wode. 

(433) 
The kynge tomyd hym there he stode, 

To syr Bedwere y/ith wordys kene: 
" Have Excalaber, my swerd[e] good ; 

A better brond was neuyr sene ; 
Go, Caste it in the salt flode 

And thou shalt se wonder, as I wene. 
hye the faste, for crosse on Kode, 

And telle me what thou haste ther sene." 



Sir Bedwere 
mourns for 
his brother's 
death. 



3445 



The kiDfir 
commands 
3449 Bedwere to 
cast his good 
sword, 
£xcahiber» 
into the sea 
and report 
to him what 
liappens. 

3453 



3461 **"***"■ 



(434) 
The knyght was both hende and free. 

To save that swerd he was fuH glad, 
And thought " whethyr I better bee, 

yif neuyr man it After had ; 3457 

And I it caste in-to the see. 

Off* mold was neuyr man so mad." 
The swerd he hyd vndyr A tree. 

And sayd : " syr, I ded as ye me bad." 

(435) 
" What saw thow there ? " than sayd the kyuge, 

** Telle me now, yif* thow can." 
** Sertes, syr," he sayd, " nothynge 

But watres depe And wawes wanne." 3465 

** A ! now thou haste broke my byddynge ! 

Why haste thou do so, thow false man 1 
A-nother bode thou muste me brynge.*' 

Thanne careffully the knyght forthe Eanne 3469 

(436) 
And thought the swerd yit he wold hyde, 

And keste the scauberke in the flode. 
" yif Any Aventurs shatt be-tyde, 

There-by shall I se tokenys good." 3473 



Sir Bedwere, 
reflecting 
tliat it is a 
pity to throw 
ttway the 
sword. 



hides it 
under a tree. 



Arthur tliat 
)ie has done 
liis bidding. 



The king 
wishes to 
know what 
Sir Bedwere 
saw, 

but when 
lie replies, 
** nothing but 
waters deep 
and waves 
wan," 
Arthur re- 
pnmolies him 
and sends 
him forth 
again. 



This time 
Sir Bedwere 
oasts the 
sbeatlt into 
the flood. 



106 Arthur is taken into a boat hy fair ladies. 

In-to the see he lette the scauberke glyde ; 
A whyle on the land hee there stode, 
??irt!rS the Than to the kynge he wente that tyde, 
SS^filaiJIr And sayd : " syr, it is done, by tlie Rode." 3477 

hiscommuid. 

(437) 
The king " Saw thou Any wondres more ? " 
Sidiijd " Sertys, syr, I saw nought" 

wSTirSSnd " ^ • ^^^ traytor," he sayd thore, 
time. « Twyse thou haste me treson wroght ; 3481 

That shaH thou rew sely sore ; 

And, be thou bold, it shal be bought." 
The knyght than cryed : " lord, thyn ore I " 

And to the swerd sone he sought. 3485 

(438) 
Sir Bedwero SvT bed were saw that bote was beste, 

now goes a '' 

third time And to the good swerd he wente ; 

and throwg ° ' 

the sword In-to the soe he hyt keste ; 

into the sea. •^ ' 

[leaf 128, bk.] Than myght he se what that it mente. 3489 

A hand comes There cam An hand wzt/i-outen Reste 

up out of 

tiie water, Qute of* the Water And feyre it hente, 

seiies the "^ ' 

brandishes "^^^ brandysshyd As it shuld braste, 

JJ^*"P- And sythe, as gleme, A-way it glente. 3493 

(439) 
wiien Sir To the kynge A-gayne wente he thare, 

Bedwere tells *,?,., x a , i 

the iting of And sayd : ** leve syr, I saw An hand ; 

what he has "^ '' ' 

■*®5f?' u.^ Oute of the water it cam AH: bare, 

Artliur bide ' 

toThe rtrim? '^^^ thryse brandysshyd that Ryche brande." 3497 
"helpe me sone that I ware there." 
he lede hys lord vnto that stronde ; 
There they A rvche shyppe, w?'t^ maste And ore, 

find a rich J J ff f > 

fhijpfuuof Futt of ladyes, there they fonde. 3501 

(440) 
The ladyes, that were feyre and free, 
ti^e^^l^'one Curteysly the kynge gan they fonge, 
Saii^hta^*"^ And one that bryghtest was of blee 
weepfng'*" wepyd sore and handys wrange. 3505 

sorely. 



Si7' Bedwere finds a hermit and a quw tomb. 107 



" Broder," she sayd, " wo ys me ! 

Fro lechyng hastow be to longe. 
I wote that gretely greuyth me, 

For thy paynes Ar f uH stronge." 3509 

(441) 
The knyght kest A rewfull rowne, 

There he stode, sore and vnsownde, 
And say[de] : " lord, whedyr Ar ye bowne % 

Alias ! whedyr wyH ye fro me fowndeT* 3513 

The kynge spake wM A sory sowne r 

** I wyllQ wende a lyteH; stownde 
In-to the vale of Avelovne, 

A whyle to hele me of my wounde." ^ 3517 



When Sir 
Bedwere 
asks the king 
whither is he 
bound, he 
replies that 
he will go a 
littte while to 
the vale of 
Aveloune to 
be healed of 
bis wound. 



(442) 
Whan the shyppe from the land was broght, 

Syr bedwere saw of hem no more ; 
Throw the forest forthe he soughte. 

On hyllys and holtys hore. 
Of* hys lyffe Bought he Byght noght, 

AH; nyght he went wepynge sore ; 
A-gaynste the day he fownde ther wrought 

A chapelle by-iwene ij holtes hore. 

(443) 
To the chapell he toke the way ; 

There myght he se A woundyr syght ; 
Than saw he where an ermyte laye 

By-fore A tombe that new was dyghte ; 
And coveryd it was wit^ marboH graye 

And vfiili Byche lettres Bayled Aryght ; 
There-on An herse, sothely to saye, 

Wiih an C tappers lyghte. 

(444) 
vnto the ermyte wente he thare 

And Askyd who was beryed there. 
The ermyte Answeryd swythe yare : 

" There-of« can I tett no more. 



The ship 
disappears, 
and Bedwere 
goes through 
the forest in 
great sorrow. 



3521 



Towards 
QKOK daylight lie 
OoZo comes upon a 

chapel. 



where he 
finds a 
3529 hermit lying 
before a new 
tomb, 
lighted up 
with a hun- 
dred tapers. 



3533 



He asks the 
hermit who 
is buried 
there, 



3537 [leafl29J 



108 



Ttu Q\uen goes into a nunnery. 



batth« 
iMnnIt only 
knows thai 
th« body in 
the tomD wu 
brooRht there 
about mid- 
night bj 
luUiea, 



wlio offiered 
iiiiD a hun- 
dred pounds 
and bad him 
Itniy for the 
ilead man to 
Our Lady. 



A-bowte myJnyght were ladjes here, 

In world ne wyste I what they were ; 
Thys body they broght vppon a here 

And beryed it wtt/t woundys sore ; 3541 

(445) 
Besavntw offred they here bryght, 

I hope an C povnd and more, 
And bad me pray bothe day and nyght 

For hym that is buryed in these moldys here 3545 
Vnto ower lady bothe day And nyght, 

That she hys sowle helpe sholde." 
The k nyght redde the lettres A-ryght ; 

For sorow he fett vn-to the folde. 3549 



Sir Bedwere 
read* tlie 
letters on the 
tomb and 
exclaims that 
it is Arthor. 



He begs the 
hermit to let 
him live with 
hiui as a 
hermit also. 



It turns out 
that the 
liermit is tlie 
Archbishop 
of Canterbury 
whom Mor- 
ilred drove 
away. 



He receives 
Sir Bedwere 
gladly. 



When the 
queen hears 
of all these 
misfortunes, 
she goes to 
Amesbury to 
become a 
nun. 



(446) 
" Ermyte," he sayd, ** wtt/i-oute lesynge, 

here lyeth my lord that I haue lome, 
Bold arthur, the beste kynge 

That euyr was in bretayne borne. 3553 

yif* me som of* thy clothjmge, 

For hym that bare the crown e of thome, 
And leue that I may Yfiih the lenge, 

Whyle I may leve, And pray hym fome.*' 3557 

(447) 
The holy ermyte wold not wounde — 

Some tyme Archebishop he was, 
That mordred flemyd oute of londe, 

And in the wode hys wonnyng chase — 3561 

he thankyd Ihesu AH of his sound 

That syr bedwere was comyn in pease ; 
he resayved hym wtt/i herte And honde, 

To-gedyr to dwelle, wet/i-outen lese. 3565 

(448) 
Whan quene Gaynor, the kynges wyffe, 

Wyste that AH was gone to wrake, 
A-way she went with ladys fyve 

To Avmysbery, A nonne hyr for to make. 3569 



Lancelot returns to England. 



109 



Lancelot, 
in the mean- 
while, had set 
out to help 
Arthur. 



Ther-in she lyved An holy lyffe, 

In prayers for to wepe And wake ; 
neuyr After she cowde be blythe ; 

There weryd she clothys whyte And blake. 3573 

(449) 
Whan thys tydyng^g was to launcelot broght, 

What wondyr tbowgh hys hert were sore ! 
hys men, hys frendys, to hym sought 

And AH the wyse that Yri\h hym were. 3577 

her gallayes were Alt Redy wroght, 

They buskyd theyme And made yare ; 
To helpe Arthur was ther thoght 

And make mordred of blysse full bare. 3581 

(450) 
lancelot had crownyd kyngt8 sevyn, 

Erlys f ele And barons bold ; [leaf 129, bk.] 

The nombyr of knyghtx* I can not nevyn, 

The squyres to fele to be told ; 3585 

They lemyd lyght as Any levyn^ 

The wynde was as hem-self wold, 
Throw the grace of god of* hevyn ; 

At doner they toke hauyn And hold ; 

(451) 
There herd telle lancelot in that towne, 

In lond it is not for to layne, 
how they had faught at barendowne, 

And how beryed was syr gawayne, 3593 

And how mordred wold be kynge wit^ crowne, 

And how ayther of theym had other slayn, 
And All that were to batayle bowne 

At salysbery lay dede vpon the playne ; 3597 

(452) 
Also in londe herd hyt kythe, 

That made hys hert wonder sare, 
quene Gaynoz^r, the kyngw wyffe, 

Myche had levyd in sorow and care ; 3601 

1 MS. leme. 



3589 When he 
reaches 
Dover, 



he hears all 
about the 
war and the 
final battle at 
Salisbury. 



He hears, 
moreover, 
that the 

Sueen with 
ve ladies 
has gone no 
one knows 
where. 



/ 



110 Lancelot lights on the Queen's nunnery. 

A-way she went wit// ladyes fyve, 
In lond they wyste not whedyr whar, 

Dolwyn dede or to be on lyve ; 

That made hys mornyng moche the mare. 3605 

(453) 
Lancelot tolls lancelot clepid hys kyngts wtt^ crowne, 
he it going Syr bors stode hym nere be-syde ; 

that thCT he sayd : " lordyngw, I wytt wend to-fome, 
him fifteen And by these bankys ye shatt A-byde 3609 

Vnto fyftene dayes at the mome. 

In lond what so euyr vs be-tyde, 
To herkyn what lord hys lyffe hathe lome, 

loke ye Eappe yow not vp to Kyde." 3613 

(454) 
There had he nouther Eoo ne Eeste, 
But forthe he went wM drery mode, 
For three And iij dayes he went euyn weste, 
westward, As man that cowde nother yvett nor good ; 3617 

Than syghe he where A towre by weste 

Was byggyd by A bumys flode ; 
There he hopyd it were beste 

For to gete hym som lyves stode. 3621 

(455) 
tiu by chance As he Cam throw A cloyster clere — 
the nunnery Att-moste f or wepynge he was mad — 
qaeen was. he See A lady bryght of lere, 

In nonnys clothyng was she clad. 3625 

The queen Thryse she swownyd swyf tely there, 

swoons at the o j. v • x * 

eight of him, So stronge paynes she was m stadi 

be taken to That many A man^ than) nyghed hyr nere, 

her chamber. .-i,* i i i^ii a^^^ 

And to hyr chambyr was she ladde. 3629 

(456) 
The nuns do " Mercy, madame," they sayd AH, 

[leaf 180] For Ihcsu, that is kynge of blysse, 

quin»?* Is there Any byrd in boure or halle 
trouble; ^^^ wrathcd yow?" she sayd : " nay, I-wysse." 3633 

^ nonne? 



The Queen implores Lancelot to return to his kingdom. Ill 

lancelot to hyr gan ihey calle, they caj/ 

The Abbes and the other nonnys I-wysse, before her. 

They that wonyd wtt^-in the walle ; owever. 

In covnselle there than sayd she^ thas : 3637 

(457) 
'' Abbes, to you I knowlache here and she teus 

That throw thys ylke man And me, «nd the other 

/ t' t' ' vnxk% that she 

I For we to^edyr han loved vs dere, *nd ^« "»»» 

*' •' ' have been the 

Ail thys sorowfuH werre hathe be : 3641 «a~of aii 

•^ ' the war, 

my lord is slayne, that had no pcre. 

And many A doughty knyght And free ; 
There-fore for sorowe I dyed nere. 

As sone As I euyr hym gan see — 3645 

(458) 
Whan I hym see, the sothe to say, 

AH my herte by-gan to colde. 
That euyr I shuld A-byde thys day, 

To se so many barons bolde 3649 

Shuld for vs be slayne A-way ; 

Oure wylle hathe be to sore bought sold ; but that now 

But god, that AH myghtt^ maye, thought 

Now hathe me sette where I wyH hold : 3653 «i^»tion of 

'' ' heraool. 

(459) 
I-sette I am In suche A place, 

my sowle hele I wyti A-byde, 
Telle god send me som grace. 

Throw mercy of* hys woundys wyde 3657 

That I may do so in thys place 

my synnys to A-mende thys ilke tyde, 
After to haue A syght of« hys face 

At domys day on hys Ryght syde. 3661 

(460) 
There-fore, syr lancelot du lake, she aooord- 

inglybega 

For my loue now I the pray, ^'•'**^? 

my company thow Aye for-sake JSmiobte 

And to thy kyngdome thow take thy way ; 3665 

* MS. they. 



112 LameelU uri$k€$ to lice like the Queen. 

And kepc thj Reme from wene and wiake, 
■**^ ■■** ^^^ ^^^ ^ wyffc with her to play, 
^><*- And loue wele than thj woiidys make, 

God } iff yow loye togedyr, I pray I 3669 

(461) 
Vnto god I pray, AH-myghty kynge, 
he yeffe yow to-gedyr loye And blysse, 
flb« bMMehM But I befsejche the in Att thynge 
Mrajn to bav* That newyr in thy lyffe After thyssc 36/ 3 

any com* 

noniAUon Xc comc to me for no sokenmge, 

with b«r. " ^ ', 

Nor send me sond, bat dwelle in blysse ; 
I pray to god euyr lastynge 
[i«iif ISO, bk.] To^ Graunte me grace to mend my myase," 3677 

(462) 
huncr\»t ** Now, swete madame, that wold I not doo, 
K'ninat tiii», To haue AH the world vnto my mede ^ ; 
jSo vntrew fynd ye me neuyr mo ; 

It for to do cryste me for-bede ! 3681 

(463) 
For-bode it god that euyr I shold 

A-gaynste yow worche so grete vnryght, 
Hyno wo to-gedyr vpon thys mold 

ImiUi led owre lyfFe by day And nyght ! 3685 

yH.iwmiiwio Vnto god I yifFe a heste to holde, 
m&'h«'Si*T"'* Tho Hamo desteny that yow is dyghte 
1 wiH Uossoyvo in som house bolde, 
To ph'Bo horo- After god Att-myght; 3689 

(464) 
To pl(»aM(^ god Aft that I maye 

I kUiiH horo-Aftor do myne entente, 
H«|iuu And ouyr for yow specyAlly pray, 

♦^nUliImHlly- Wlillo god wyft me lyfFe lente/' 3693 

** A 1 wylto thow 80," tho quene gan say, 

** KuH lyH thys forward that thou has mentl" 
Ittuoolot Huyil : ** yiff* I sayd nay, 

I wuiHi wolti worthy to be brent ; 3697 

^ hvm th0 hp o/ Imf ISO, hwk, to the end Vie initial letter 

« MS. uuule. 



The parting of Lancelot and the Queen. 113 



(465) 
Brent to bene worthy I were, 

Yiff* I wold take non soche A lyffe, 
To byde in penance, as ye do here. 

And 8a£Ere for god sorow and stryffe ; 3701 

^As we in lykynge lyffed in fere,__ 

By mary moder, made and wyffe, 
Tyti god vs departe with dethes dere, 

To penance I yeld me here As blythe. 3705 



declares that 

beisgoinff 

toleadiilife 

ofpenaaoe 

asahormit. 



(466) 
AH blyve to penance I wyti me take 

As I may fynde Any ermyte 
That wyH me Kesseyne for goddys sake, 

me to clothe wtt^ whyte And blake." 3709 

The sorow that the tone to the tother gan make 

myght none erthely man se hytte. 
** madame," than sayd laoncelot de lake, 

** kysse me. And I shall wende as-tyte." 3713 

(467) 
" nay," sayd the quene, ** that wyfi I not ; 

launcelot, thynke on that no more ; 
To Absteyne vs we muste haue thought. 

For suche we haue delyted in ore ; 3717 

lett vs thynk on hym that vs hathe bought 

And we shall please god ther-f ore ; 
Thynke on thys world how there is noght 

But warre And stryffe And batayle sore." 3721 



At parting 



wisheato 
Idas the 
queen. 



bntshesajs 
thattiMj 



now and 
think onlj 
of God and 
thetrooblos 
of the world. 



(468) 
What helpeth lenger for to spelle 1 

WiiJi that they gan departe in twene, 
But none erthely man covde telle 

The sorow that there by-gan to bene ; 
Wryngyng ther handw and lowde they yelle, 

As they neuyr more shuld blynne. 
And sythe in swonne bothe downe they felle ; 

Who saw that sorow euyr myght it mene. 

MOBTE ARTHUR. 



[leaflSl] 
Lancelot and 
the queen 
part in great 
sorrow. 



3725 



3729 



114 Lancelot finds the Archbishop of Canterbury in a chapel. 

(469) 
and the But ladves than wtt^ mornyng chere, 

attendants ^ ^ ^ , , , , , 

of each try In-to the chamoyr the quene they bare, 

them. And AH futt besy made theym there 

To cover the quene of* hyr care. 3733 

many Also that ^ith lancelot were, 

They comforte hym w[ith] rewf uH: care ; 
Whan he was coveryd, he toke hys gere 

And went frome thense wM-outen mare ; 3737 

(470) 
Lancelot hys hert was hevy As Any lede, 
to a forest. And Icuer he was hys lyff e haue lorne ; 

he sayd : ** Kyghtwosse god ! what is my Rede % 

Alias ! for-bare, why was I borne 1 " 3741 

A-way he went, as he had fled. 

To A foreste that was hym by-fome ; 
hys lyffe fayne he wold haue leuyd ; 
hys Ryche A-tyre he wold haue of-tome. 3745 

(471) 
AH nyght gan he wepe And wrynge 
And went A-boute As ]ie were wode ; 
in which at Erely, As the day gan sprynge, 
comes upon Tho syghe he where A cbapeii stode ; 3749 

a chapel 

where a A belle herd he rewfully Rynge ; 

about to hold be hycd hym than And thedyr yode ; 
A preste was Eedy for to synge, 

And masse he herd yviih drery mode. 3753 

(472) 
It is the The Arshebysshoppe was ermyte thare, 

Archbishop ^, « , i. , , 

of Canterbury That flcmyd was for hys werkys trew ; 

who is sing- '' . , , 

Jn»mw«»and The masse he sange with syghyng sare, 
is there. And oftc he changyd hyde and hewe ; 3757 

Syr bedwere had sorow And care 
And ofte momyd for tho werkys newe ; 
They Aftyr massc was momy[n]ge mare, 

recoflmise ■ l j 

each other. Whan Iche of* hem othyr knewe. 3761 



Lancelot becomes a hermit. 



115 



(473) 
Whan the sorow was to the ende, 

The byshope toke hys obbyte thare, 
And welcomyd laimcelot as the hend, 

And on hys knees downe gan he fare : 
" Syr, ye be welcome as oure frende 

Vnto thys byggying in bankys bare ; 
Were it yower wyH: -with vs to lende 

Thys one nyght, yif* ye may [no] mare ! " 



The arch- 
bishop wel- 
comes 
Lancelot, 
[leaf 181, bk.] 



3765 



3769 



(474) 
Whan they hym knew at the laste, 

Feyre in Armys they gan hym folde. 
And sythe he askyd frely faste 

Off* Arthur And of other bolde ; 
An_C tymes hys hert ne[re] braste, 

Whyle syr Bedwere the tale tol(J. 
To Arthnr-is tombe he caste, 

Hys careful! corage wexid All cold ; 



who is filled 
^ ^*- ^ with sorrow 
3773 when sir 

Bedwere tells 

him of 

Arthur's end. 



3777 



(475) 
Hej^Bwiys armys to the walle, 

That Ryche were and bryght of blee ; 
By-fore the e[r]myte he gan downe falle, 

And comely knelyd vpon hys knee ; 
Than he shrove hym of* hys synnes Alle 

And prayd he myght hys broder be. 
To serue god in boure and halle, 

That myght-f uti kynge of* mercy f ree, 

(476) 
That holy bisshope nold not blynne. 

But blythe was to do hys boone ; 
He resseyuyd hym wtt/i wele and wynne 

And thankyd Ihe«u trew in trone. 
And shroffe hym ther of hys synne, 

As clene as he had neuyr done none ; 
And sythe he kyste hym cheke and chynne 

And an Abbyte there dyd hym vpon. 



3781 



3785 



Lancelot is 
shriven of 
his sins, and 
beffsthe 
archbishop 
to accept him 
as a brother- 
hermit. 



The arch- 
bishop gladly 
oonsento, 



3789 



and pats an 
3793 Si&?onhSn. 



116 



Bors comes also to tlie chapel. 



All this time 
Lancelot's 
host lay at 
Dorer, 
expectinir 
hie return. 
Finally with 
fifty lords 
Lyonell goes 
in search of 
Lancelot, but 
is slain at 
London. 



(477) 
hys grete hooate at dover laye, 

And wende he shiild have comyn A-gayne,' 
Tylle After by-felle vpon A dAy, 

Syr lyoneH, that was mekyH of" mayne, 
WiHi fy^ty lordys, the sothe to saye, 

To seche hys lord he was full fayne ; 
To london he toke the Ryght way ; 

Alas for woo ! there was he slayne. 



3797 



3801 



Bors 

despatches 
Lancelot's 
host home, 
and goes also 
in search of 
his lord. 



He and Ector 
go different 
ways. 

[leaf 182] 



(478) 
Bors De gawnes wold no lenger Abyde, 

But buskyd hym And made Ail bowne, 
And bad All the oste homeward Eyde — 

God send theym wynd and wedyr Rownid — 3803 
To seke lancelot wyll he Ryde. 

Ector and eche dywerse wayes yode, 
And bors sowght forthe the weste syde, 

As ho that cowde nowther yveH nor gode. 3809 



Bors comes 
to the cliapel, 
and wishing 
to hear mass 
there finds 
Lancelot. 



(479) 
FuH Erly in A morow tyde 

In A foreste he fownd A welle ; 
he Rode euyr forthe by the Ryver syde, 

TyU he had syght of* A chapelle ; 
There at masse thought he A-byde ; 

Rewf uUy he herd A belle Rynge ; 
Ther lancelot he fand wtt/i mekello pryde 

And prayd he myght vriih hym there dwelle. 



3813 



3817 



In the space 
of half>a*year 
seven of the 
friends had 
gathered 
to^rether at 
this chapel. 



(480) 
Or the halfe yere were comen to the ende, 

There was comyn of* there felowse sevyn^. 
Where ychone had sought there frend, 

Wiih sorowf utt herte And drery stevyn ; 
had neuyr none wyll A-way to. wencf, 

Whan they herd of* launcelot nevyn, 
But All to-gedyr there gan they lendl, 

As it was goddys wyH of* heuyn. 



3821 



3825 



Lancelot feeU that his death is approaching. 117 



(481) 
holyche AH tho sevyn yerys 

lancelot was preste and masse songe ; 
In penance and in dyverse prayers 

That lyffe hym thought no-thyng longe ; 
Syr bors And hys other ferys 

On bokys Redde and bellys Ronge ; 
So lytett they wexe of lyn And lerys, 

Theym to know it was stronge. 



For seven 

Jean they all 
)d a Ufe of 
penance and 
prayer. 



3829 



3833 



until they 
were so thin 
that one 
conid scarcely 
recofniise 
them. 



(482) 
hytte felle A-gayne an euyn-tyde 

That launcelot sekenyd sely sare ; 
The bysshop he clepyd to his syde 

And AH hys felaws lesse and mare ; 
he sayd : " bretheme, I may no lenger A-byde, 

my balefFuH blode of lyffe is bare ; 
What bote is it to hele And hyde 1 

my fowle flesshe wiH to erthe fare. 



At last 
Lancelot falls 
sick. 



3837 



and tells his 
companions 
that he is 
about to die. 



3841 



(483) 
but, bretheme, I pray yow to-nyghtj 

To-morow, whan ye fynde me dede, 
vpon A here that ye wyH me dyght 

And to loyes garde than me lede ; 3845 

For the loue of god AH-myght, 

Bery my body in that stede ; 
Some tyme my trowthe ther-to I plyght. 

Alias ! me for-thynketh that I so dyd." 3849 



He entreats 
them, when 
he is dead, 
to take his 
body back 
to Joyus 
Gard. 



(484) 
.** mercy, syr," they Sayd AH three, 

** for hys loue that dyed on Rode, 
yif Any yveH haue greuyd the, 

hyt ys bot hevynesse of yower blode ; 
To-morow ye shaH better be. 

Whan were ye but of comforte gode ] " 
merely spake AH men but he. 

But streyght vnto hys bed he yode, 



They do not 
believe that 
lie is so near 
death. 



3853 



[leaf 182, bk.] 



__-.„ but he goes 
3857 straight to 
his bed. 



118 



The death of Lancelot, 



Mid ffeUi the 
archbiahop to 
com* and 
•hrive him. 



(485) 
And clepyd the bysshope hym vntylle, 

And shrove hym of* hys synnes dene, 
Off* AH hys synnes loude and stylle, 

And of* hys synnes myche dyd he mene ; 
Ther he Eesseyved with good wylle 

God, mary-is sonne, mayden clene. 
Than bors of wepyng had neuyr hys fylle ; 

To bedde they yede than Ati by-dene. 



3861 



3865 



A little while 
before dny 
the arch- 
biihop 
fdffhtene 
every one by 
laughinff in 
hie sleep. 



He is sorry 
wlien they 
awaken him, 



(486) 
A lyteH whyle by-fore the day, 

As the bysshop lay in hys bed, 
A laughter toke hym there he laye, 

That Att they were Ryght sore A-drecJ. 
They wakenyd hym, for sothe to saye, 

And Askyd yif he were hard by-sted. 
he sayd : ** Alias And wele A-way ! 

Why ne had I lenger thus be led(J ? 



3869 



3873 



and tells 
tliem tliat ho 
hns had a 
beautiful 
vision of an 
anfcellc host 
bearlntf 
Lanoalut to 
heavlll. 



(487) 
Alias ! why nyghed ye me nye. 

To A-wake me in word or stevyn ? 
here was launcelot bryght of blee 

With Angellis xxx thousand and sevyn ; 
hym they bare vp on hye ; 

A-gaynste hym openyd the gatys of hevyn ; 
Suche A syght Ryght now I see, 

Is none in erthe that myght it nevyn." 



3877 



3881 



They reflise 
to believe 
tliat Lancelot 
is dead, 



but when 
they go to 
his bed, 
they And that 
lie is. 



(488) 

'*Syr," thay sayd, ** for crosse on Rode, 

Dothe suche wordys clene A-way. 
Syr lancelot eylythe no-thynge but gode ; 

he shall be hole by pryme of day." 3885 

Candeli they lyght And to hym yode. 

And fownde hym dede, for sothe to saye. 
Rede and fayer of* flesshe and blode, 

Ryght As he in slepynge laye. 3889 



Lancelot's body is taken to Joyus Gard. 



119 



(489) 
** Alias ! syr bors, that I was bome ! 

That euyr I shuld see thys in dede ! 
The beste knyght hys lyffe hathe lome 

That euyr in stoure by-strode A stede. 3893 

Ihesu that crownyd was vfiih thome, 

In heuyn hys soule foster and f ede ! " ^ 
Vnto the fyfty day at the mome 

They lefte not for to synge And Rede, 

(490) 
And After they made theym A here, 

The bysshop and these other bol(J, 
And forthe they wente, AH: in fere 

To loyes garde, that Eyche hold. 3901 

In A chapeH: a-myddys the quere 

A graue they made as thay wolcP, 
And iij dayes they wakyd hym there, 

In the casteli \fi\h carys cold*. 3905 

(491) 
Ryght as they stode A-boute the bere 

And to bereynge hym shold haue browght, 
In cam syr Ector, hys brodyr dere. 

That vij yere A-fore had hym sought. 3909 

he lokyd vp in-to the quere ; 

To here A masse than had he thought ; 
For that they AH Eavysshyd Were, 

They knew hym and he hem nought. 

* (492) 
Syr bors bothe wepte And songe. 

Whan they that feyre faste vnfold ; 
There was none but hys handys wrange. 

The bysshop nor none of* the other bold. 3917 

Syr Ector than thought longe ; 

What thys corps was f eyne wete he wolde ; 
An C tymes hys herte nye sprange, 

By that bors had hym the tale tolde. 3921 

^ In the MS, this liiie follows U 3897. 



The 

archbishop 

laments 

Lancelot's 

death. 



and they hold 
services for 
3897 his soul. 



and after- 
wards they 
[leaf 183] 
bear the body 
to Joyus 
Gard, and 
bury it in a 
chapel there. 



Just as they 
were burying 
him, Ector, 
who had 
been looking 
for Lancelot 
for seven 
years, comes 



Koone 
recognises 
3913 him at first. 



He inquires 
whose oorpse 
it is, and his 
heart is 
almost 
broken when 
Bors tells 
him that it 
ia Lancelot's. 



120 Lancelot's companions return to their chapel. 



ThtyftU 
embrmce 
Lancelot's 
dead body. 



and Ector is 

almoatcraMd 

withgrief. 



At last the 
burial is 
completed. 



(493) 
FuH hendely syr bore to hym spakke 

And sayd : " welcome, syr Ector, I-wysse ; 
here lyethe my lord lancelot da lake, 

for whome that we haue momyd thus." 3925 

Than In Armys they gan hym take, 

The dede body to clyppe And kysse, 
And prayed Ati nyght he myght hym wake, 

For IhesvL love, kynge of blysse. 3929 

(494) 
Syr Ector of hys wytte nere wente, 

Walowed and wronge as he were wode ; 
So wofully hys mone he mente, 

hys sorow myngyd AH hys mode ; 3933 

Whan the corps in Armys he hente, 

The terys owte of hys yen yode ; ^ 
At the laste they myght no lenger stent. 

But beryed hym vriih drery mode. 3937 



(495) 
Sythen on there knees they knelyd downe — 

Grete sorow it was to se wtt^ syght — 
" Vnto Ihc8U cryste Aske I A boone. 

And to hys moder, mary bryght 3941 

lord, As thow madyste bothe sonne and mone, 
[leaf 188, bk.] And god And man arte moste of myght, 
Brynge thys sowle vnto thy trone, 

And euyr thow Eewdyste on gentyU knyght." 3945 



and Lance- 
lot's oom« 
nanions pray 
to JesQs 
Christ and 
his mother 
on behalf of 
the soul of 
their lord. 



Ector also 
resolves to 
become a 
hermit. 



and after a 
fortnight's 
journey th^ 
reach their 
chapel again. 



(496) 

Syr Ector tent not to hys stede, 

Whedyr he wold stynt or Eenne Away, 
But wtt^ theym to dwelle and lede. 

For lancelot Ati hys lyffe to pray. 
On hym dyd he armytes wede, 

And to hyr chapett went hyr way ; 
A fourtenyght on fote they yede. 

Or they home come, for sothe to say. 



3949 



3953 



^ went was written "before yode aiid then struck out. 



The Qtceen dies and is buried by Arthurs side. 121 



(497) 
Whan they came to Avmysbery, 

Dede they faiiwde Gaynowr the quene, 
With Eoddys f eyre and Eede as chery ; 

And forthe they bare hyr theym by-twene, 
And beryed hyr with masse fuli merry 

By syr Arthur, as I yow mene. 
Now hyght there chapeH: glassynbei^,^ 

An Abbay full Ryche, of* order clene. 

(498) 
Off lancelot du lake telle I no more, 

But thus by-leve these ermytes sevyn ; 
And yit is Arthur beryed thore, ^ ^ 

And quene Gaynour, as I yow nevyn ; 
"With monkes that ar Ryght of lore. 

They Rede and synge vfiih mylde stevyn : 
" Ihe^u, that sufficed woundes sore, 

Graunt vs AH the blysse of hevyn ! " 
Amen. 



3957 



When they 
come to 
Ainesbury, 
they find the 
queeh dead 
also. 



3961 



Tliev take 
lier body to 
their chapel, 
which is 
now called 
Glastonbury, * 
and bury it 
by the side 
of Arthur. 



Thus the 
seven com- 
panions 
remain there 
as hermits. 



3965 



and pray 
with their 
monks that 
Jesus may 

^^"^ the bliss of 
heaven. 



Explycit le morte Arthur.^ 

^ Explycit le morte Arthur is repeated in differeini ink^ Imt 
apparently the same hand. 



122 



NOTES. 

1. Lordingis. This term is very commonly employed by the minstrels 
in addressing their audiences. That it did not necessarily iniply noble 
birth on the part of those who are thus addressed is evident from passages 
like the Preamble of the * Pardoner's Tale,M. 329, where the Pardoner 
uses it in speaking to the Canterbury Pilgrims, or again ' Havelok/ 1. 1401, 
where the hero addresses as " Louerdinges " the sons of the fisherman, 
Grim. In his note to * Athelston,* 1. 7 (' Englische Studien,' xiii, 345), 
Zupitza has brought together a great many instances of the occurrence 
of this term in the romances. 

5. This uninflected genitive form recurs in 1. 3346. On the other 
hand, we have the usual form Arthurs, 1. 260. The alliterative * Morte 
Artliure' (Thornton MS.) shows the same variation. So Thiis endys the 
emperour of Arthure hondes ( = by Arthur's hands), 1, 2225, but Me 
angers emesUy at Arthures knyghte^, 1. 2838. In Middle English generally 
the genitives of proper names often appear without an inflexional ending. 
So frequently in the case of the name of Philip of Macedon in the ' Wars 
of Alexander,* e.g. Alexander begins a letter : J, hyng PhUipp son \>e ferce 
d; hys fayre ladys, 1. 2415. Cp. the same poem IL 2535, 2961, 4711. So 

also in the 'Destruction of Troy,* Andromaca Worthy Ector 

wyfe vxLS a we faire, 11. 3982 f. In this poem we have also Agamyrum as 
a genitive, 1. 5403. In the * Holy Grail,* ch. xiii, 1. 739, we have And 
whanne hyng ExuiUich steward this hehdd .... To him ward Rod he 
A fxd gret pas. On this whole subject of uninflected genitives in Middle 
English see * Anglia,' xxiv, pp.211 f., and especially PauFs *Grundriss der 
Germanischen Philologie,* i, pp. 1086 f. (2nd edition). 

14. For. This is no doubt the preposition. 

18. For a similar scene where Arthur and his consort, as they lie in 
bed together, discuss questions that concern the glory of the former, see 
the Latin romance * De Ortu Waluuanii * (* Publications of the Modem 
Language Association of America,' xiii, 424). One may compare with 
these scenes the *' bolster-conversation " between Ailell and Meave which 
begins the long train of incidents in the famous Irish epic of Tain B6 
Cuailgne* (see the *CuchulIin Saga in Irish Literature* by Eleanor Hull, 
London, 1898, pp. lllfF.). It is under similar circumstances that 
Gomoille, the eldest daughter of King Lear, proposes to her husband in 
Layamon*s * Brut ' (11. 3285 ff .) that they should deprive the old king of 
a fourth of his knights. Cp. also the conversation between Darius and 
Atossa in Herodotus, Book iii, chap. 134. 

36. To dede of Arrays for to Ryde=hy riding to deeds of arms. This 
construction seems to be repeated in 1. 2123. Cp. *Foure Sonnes of 
Aymon,' p. 60, for ye knowe well the offence that your hroder hadde doon 
to me, for to haue dayne soo cruelly Lohier. For examples of the infini- 
tive thus used as the gerund see Kellner's edition of Caxton's *Blanchardyn 
and Eglantine' (E. E. T. S.), Introduction, p. 65. 

63. toith the dede=m the act, cp. 1. 1747. Also *Erl of Tolous,* 
1. 526 : TTww* schalt take iis wyth the ded ; * Romaunt of the Rose,* 1. 7634 : 
That ye shulde take him with the dede ; ' Octavian * (Southern version), 
1. 229 : For sche ivo.s founds imth ]>e dede ; 



Notes. Lines 79-110. 123 

* Sir Tristrem,' 1. 3182 : 

And Brengvxiin \>retned ay 

To take hem in her dede. 
79. ya swithe that thou Armyde he, Cp. 11. 211, 1573, 2550, 3335* 
Cp. * Kichard Goer de Lion,' 11. 3066 ff. : 

Takes a Sarezyne yonge and fat ; 

In hade that the theff be sla^ifn, 

Openyd and hys hyde offflayn. 
Also 11. 3238, 3507. * Seuyn Sages/ 11. 649 ff. : 

Goht he seigh to the prisone 

And fechcheth forht mine sone, 

And quik that he ivar an-honge 

On heghe gcdewes and on stronge. 
Also 1. 3974. * Destruction of Troy/ 11. 3610 ff. : 

perfore wackon \>i vnlle into wight dedis^ 

And ]>ere as sikyng <h sorow dees the within 

pat \>e harme \>at \>ou has amd hethyng with all 

Fas noght vnponisshed for pitS ne other, 
*Emare,' 11. 1004 f.: 

And sayde : Lordy for \>yn honour 

My worde pat }jou wyll here. 
Cp. moreover, * Athelston,' 1. 374, ' Libeaus Desconus,' 1. 608, ' Sir Beues 
of Hamtoun,' L 2286. In this construction a verb of wishing is, no doubt, 
to be understood. The influence of the French que + the subjunctive in 
expressing a wish or command is evident here. 

99. Wyth his shuldres gorme he fold^ See under fold (4) in the * New 
English Dictionary' : "To bend, bow (oneself) the body, or limbs)" and 
the examples given in illustration, e.g. from the * Cursor Mundi,^' 8965 
(Cott.): To \e tre sco can Mr fold. Cp. besides *Octavian* (Lincoln 
MS. of the Northern version), 11. 891 ff. : 

The childe hym hitt one ]>e schuLdir hone, 

That to fe pappe ]>e swerde gan gone, 

And ]>e geaunt to ]>e grounde gane folde. 
The word is applied even to the heart in * Sir Eglamour of Artois,' 1. 726, 
in the sense of " sink." 

Of that worme when he had a syght 

Hys herte hegan to folde. 
105. The hinge stode on a toure on highte. Cp. * Sir Triamore,' 1. 1420 : 
high on a tower stood that good Ladye; *Generydes,* 1. 2598 : Glarwnas 
was on the tovn-e on hye ; * Sir Beues,' 1. 3357 : Saher stod on %s tour an 
;ii3— also 11. 3033 ff, 4082; *Ipomedon,* B, 1. 1897 : The lady lay m an 
hye toure. 

110. is not to hyde. This formula is more frequent in tins romance 
than in any other. Cp. * Ipomedon,' A, 11. 3955 f. : 
Yedurday juste I here in white, 
To-day in rede, ys not to hyde ; 
• Ywain and Gawain,' 806 £ : 

And soght him in \e maydens Iwll, 
In chambers high (es noght at hide) ; t h ^ 

*Octavian' (Lincoln MS. of the Northern version), 1. 1277 : In Jterde es 
noghte to hide. This last formula is particularly common in llorr 
Childe,' cp. 11. 39, 57, 669, 751. For examples of this »^<* ™^i^ 
expressions (ys not to layne, etc.), see Breul's *Sir Gowttier, pp. not 



124 Notes. Lines 117-315. 

117. hraundisshxd yche a hotie, S. under brandish (\. c.) In 'N. E. D/ 
"To flourish about, move vigorously (tlie limbs, the head, etc.)." The 
verb is commoner used absolutely without direct object, and with tiie 
sense of ** to swagger." Cp. * Babees Book,' How the Good Wyfe taught 
'her Daughter, 38 : Braundische not toith fin heed. 

165. Sir J the semys a noUe kn[t\ght. Cp. *Morte Arthure' (Lincoln 
MS.). 1. 139 : By lukynge withotcttyn lesse, a lyon (he semys, * Rowlande 
and Ottuell,* 1. 862, fwm semes bathe felle andferse, * Wars of Alexander,' 
1. 2000 : Bot faim semys to be softe^ as fees sedis preuez — also IL 3036, 
5399. It will be noticed that the construction is impersonaL For other 
curious impersonal constructions of the Middle English observe * Libeaas 
Desconus ' (Cotton MS.), 1. 566 : \>e ne askapeih so auxvy ; * Ipomedon,' A, 
1. 5182 : SertuSj «i/r, me owethe to wete. For seem and must in the imper- 
sonal construction see L. Kellner, * Englische Studien,' xviii, 287 fl 

179. hyr Bode was rede as blossom on brere, Cp. 'Seege of Troye,' 
1. 1416; Here rode rede cm blosom on the brere ; *King of Tars,* IL 13 t: 
Chaast heo was «t* feir of chere 
Wi\> rode red so hLosme on brere. 

* Sjnre Gawene and the Carle of Carelyle,* L 367 : Her roode was reede, her 
chek rounde. ' Death and Liffe/ 11. 65 f. : 

shee was brighter of her blee then was the bright sonn, 
her rvdd redder then the rose, that on the rise ha/ngeik. 

* Eger and Grine,' 1. 217 : her nid ^vas red as rose in raine. In the 
Northern version of * Octavian ' (Lincoln MS.), 1. 41, we have whyte 90 blos- 
soms on }>e brere. For the expressions her rode was red and as bry^t as 
Uosme on brere, see still further respectively Kaluza's note to ' Libeaus 
Desconus,' 938, and Zupitzu's to * Athelston,' 72. 

190. other mo. Cf. ' Beues of Hamtoun,' 1. 3410 : Wei ten \>08end o\)er 
mo; 'Sir Eglamour of Artois,' 1. 480: On us a/nd odwr moo; *Seuyn 
Sages,' 11. 3645: 

The steward wendes, the chUde alsuxi, 
And with tham other many ma, 

202. Formene giffthe no thynge lUe. See 821, 1324. Cp. * Ysumbras,' 
1. 109 : They wepede aUe and gafe \jam iU ; ibid. 304 : \)e lady grete and aafe 
hir HI ; 'Emare,' 1. 778 : Bothe they \oeipte and yaf hem iUe ; 'Octavian' 
(Lincoln MS. of the Northern version), 1. 75 : Oyffe ^ow no thynge tKe. 
For give in the sense of to " make account of," out of which the above 
formula has developed, see Zupitza, *Guy of WarwicJ^,' 1. 4459. 

266. Breme as Any unlde bore. The formula breme as bore is very 
frequent in this romance. Cp. 951, 1600, 2101, 2214, 2606, 3249. Cp. 

* Cursor Mundi,' 1. 4899 : \fe sargantz \>at ware brent aU bare. * Golagros 
and Gawane,' 1. 822 : He wourdis brym as ane bair ; Malory's * Morte 
Darthur,' p. 820 : Sao vpon the mome there came syre GawoAfne, as brym as 
ony bore. Cp. also * Ferumbras,' 1. 545, * Sege of Melayne,' 1. 969, * Romance 
of Duke Rowlande and of Sir Ottuell of Spayne,' 1. 166. The expression is 
even found in sixteenth century English, * Roister Doister,' iv, 6 : Never 
bore so brymme nor tost so hot. 

315. by them one two. So * Octavian ' (Lincoln MS. of the Northern 
version), 11. 1347 flf. : 

Lady, ^joe one two 

By \>e reuer banke salle go 

That he may vs see. 
Cp. also * William of Paleme,' 1. 1415 : nan knew here cwiseUe but \>ei \>re 
one. 'Morte Arthure ' (Lincoln MS.), 1. 3195 : AUe the seruitours are sette 



Notes. Lines 389-486. 125 

sere be thame one, * Wars of Alexander,* 1. 755* : And stighUlys hym in 
8om stede, by hym one, 

389. For why \>at = provided that. This use is exceptional. 
. 399, What he had herd and sene with sight The second member of 
this clause has frequent parallels in our poem. So 11. 673, 1476, 1627, 
1871, 2002, 2143, 2191, 3301. Cp. ^Ferumbras,' 1. 193: \Kity so longe 
scholde lyue alas, to sen hit loith my si^te, * Sege of Melayne,' 11. 893 f. : 

And afayre oste of brede \>ev appon hefande 

\>at euer he sawe with syghte. 
•Libeaus Desconus,' II. 1447 ff. : 

What? wenest \>ou fendes fere, 

TJncristened \>at I were, 

Till I si^ pe wi\> si^t ? 
402. a fdyd knight. For the verb " to fool " in the intransitive sense 
see under /ooi (1) in the *N. E. D.' "To be or become foolish or insane," 
and the examples, * Cleanness,* 1. 1422 : cd wa/yhned his wyt dh wd ne^e he 
fcHes. Barbour's « Bruce ' (Edinburgh MS.), iv, 222 f. : 

Bot he fulyt, forouten weir, 

That gaf treuth to that creatwre, 
411. hole and fere. For examples of this phrase see HalFs note to 

* King Horn,* 1.149. 

426. For the uninflected genitiv^e cp. * Beues of Hamtoun,* 1. 3193 ; 

Sire, 2he seide to \>at erl sone 

* I(^ oidde, \>ow graunte me a bone.' 
For such uninflected genitives in the case of proper names and titles see 
note to 1. 5, above.' The want of inflection in such cases is due no doubt 
to the influence of the Old French uninflected genitive very largely, 
480. " Ector,^' he sa/yd, ^^ where thou it were. 

That woundid me thus wondir sore ? " 
So 11. 3006, 3456. For where ( = whether) introducing a direct question 
cp. * Piers Plowman,' C. xvii, 336 : " Wher derkus knowe hym nat " quoth 
ich " that kepen hdy churche ? " — also C. xx, 25. * House of Fame,* iii, 
1779 ff.: 

What ? false theves ! wher ye wolde 

Be famous good, and nothing nolde 

Deserve why ? 
' Syre Gawene and the Carle of Carlyle,* 11. 509 f. : 

Uher I scha^ se enny mor ]ns kny^t 

That hathe ley my body so ner, 

Cp. also * Wars of Alexander,* 11. 2910, 3810, * Cleanness,* 1. 717, 

• York Plays,' xxi, 259: 

486, Syr lyonelle by god \>an swore 

That myne wolle sene be euyr more. 
For direct discourse introduced by that compare the * Anglo-Saxon Gospel 
of St, John,* i, 32 : Johannes cydde geioitnesse cwe^ende \>aet ic ^eseah 
wyiiercumend/ne Gast of heofenwm. This construction is frequent m the 
Anglo-Saxon Gospels owing to the influence of the Latin original which 
derived it in turn from the Greek. See Gorrell, 'Publications of the 
Modem Language Association of America,* x, 350. Many examples 
for the French are given by Tobler in ' Vermischte Beitrage zur franzo- 
sischen Grammatik,* i, 218 ff., e. g. Robert de Clary's * Prise de Constanti- 
nople,' 88 : et apres dist Agdanz que " se ma, gent est vaincue, je prendre 



126 Notes. Lines 556-764. 

baptesme" The construction is not frequent in Middle English, bat cp. 

* Seuyn Sages,' 11. 3740 I : 

The yonger Mis that " myne sho ys ; 

For I haue toond with hir cUtoay." 
Caxton's * Blanchardyn and Eglantine/ 184 : He sayd fuU angerly to the 
dyuMrd that to an euM owre hath your lady hen so madde as to mary her 
self to a ladde. Cp. Kellner's ' Introduction to Blanchardyn and Eglan- 
tine,* p. 90, and for the whole subject of abrupt changes from indirect 
to direct discourse in Middle English, ibid. 98 ff., and Zupitza*8 note to 
' Guy of Warwick,' 1. 1785. 

556. Sir yif liiat youre loiUis were, Cp. Barbour's * Bruce,' i, 618 : 
Tharfor giff that ^our unUis wer — also ibid, xix, 158. ' Towneley Plays,' 
xxii, 277 : Dere lady^ if thi wiU were, 

I mitst tdl tythytigys playn, 

* Ipomedon,* B, 1. 270 : yff your wiUe he. * Richard Coer de Lion,' 
11. 5234 ff. : 

To Kyng Richard forth he wente 

And prayedy yiff his wyUe be, 

Off bata^ hetwen thre. 
So * Sir Emare,' 1. 919 : ' Horn Childe,* 1. 979 ; ' Seuyn Sages,' U. 123, 133, 
etc.; 'Octavian* (Northern version, Lincoln MS.), 1. 417. Cp. also 
Hairs note to *King Horn,' 1. 193. 

589. so thryve or thro, Cp. * Pearl,' 11. 867 ff. : 

I seahe, says lohan, pe Ummbe hym stande. 

On pe mount of syon fid \yryuen db \)ro, 
' Cursor Mundi,' U. 14806 ff. : 

fast es he throd and thriuen 

And mikel gra^e ai es himgiuen ; 

* Destruction of Troy,* 1. 6537 : With \>re thowsawnd pro men Yriuond in 
armys. 

595. Be the coUmres I it knew, knew here is subjunctive. 
651. That nighe of witte she wold wede. So 11. 787, 914. Cp. 
'Octavian' (Northern version, Lincoln MS.), 1. 1511 : Of wiU als he 
wolde wede, * Wars of Alexander,' 1. 1410 : Went wode of \>aire witt. 
For similar expressions see Hall's note to ^ King Horn,' 1. 1084. 
657. That wist-e of hyrpriuete. Cp. * Arthour and Merlin,' 1. 12 : 
For 'pai mo toiten d; se 
Miche of godes priuete. 

* Eger and Grine,' 1. 362 : shee shall knoxo notJiing of our priuitye. ' Sir 
Eglamour of Artois,' 1. 62 : Ye haue tolde me yowre prevyte. Handlyng 
Synne, 11. 397 1 : 

And sum heyn goddys pryuyte 
pat he shetuy}> to wame J>c. 

* Squyr of Lowe Degre,' 11. 511 f. : 

He wende in the worlde none had bene 
That had knowen of his pryuite 
—also 1. 990 ; cp. besides «Wars of Alexander,' 11. 255, 2878, 3613. 

75L In da/y tylle I be dongyn colde, Cp. 'Hymns to the Virgin,' 
(E.E.T.S. 1867}, 1. 86 : In coold day now schal y dinge ; Boddeker's 
' Altenglische Dichtungen des MS. Harl. 2253,' p. 211 : dingep so l^e dai. 
764. for crosse and Bode. Cp. * Athelston,' 1. 169 : parme swoor \>e 
kyng be cros and roode. The usual formula in our poem is crosse on Bode. 
So 11. 2576, 2880, 2928, 3112, 3452, 3882. This last is probably the 



Notes. Lines 770-1083. 127 

original form of the expression, in which case the word crosse would 
mean the horizontal cross-piece on the cross. 

770. Now haue good day, my lady fre. This common formula of 
parting is illustrated by Hall in his note to * King Horn,' 11. 727 f. For 
formulas of leave-taking in general see Kaluza to ^Libeaus Desconus,' 
1. 1051, and Kolbing to ' Ipomedon,' 1. 298. 

782. Vp he vxyi-this vppon his stede. Cp. *Sowdone of Babylone/ 

I. 1163 : Thai worthed vp on here stedes: * Ipomedon,' B, 1. 1489 : Anon 
he worthyd vppon his stede. * Torrent of Portyngale,' 11. 627 f. : 

On he dyd hys harnes ageyne 
And worthe on hys sted, serteyne. 

For expressions for mounting in general in Middle English see Zupitza, 

* Athelston,' 1. 381. 

933. For the apparent inconsistency in the narrative here see 
Introduction under the head of Source, pp. xvii f. 

983. By-gynne wtUe auntres or aught yare, yare here is the adverb = 
quickly as in * Kin.c: Horn,' 11. 46R f. : 
d' tolde himfvZ yire 
Hic he hadde if are. 

991. hayne here of course does not mean "both," as Seyferth 
(p. 36) assumes, but "readily" — i, e. it is derived from O.N. heinn, not 
O.E. higen. 

1017. Thirike ye not on this endris day, Cp. 1. 1105. See ender in 

* N. E. D.' " Only in phrase, This ender day, night, year, indicating a day, 
etc., recently past." Cp. also the examples there given. 'Confessio 
Amantis,' v. 7400 f.: 

This ender day as I ganfare 
To hunte tmto the grete hert. 

'Thomas of Erceldoune,' 1. 25 (Thornton MS.) : 
I me went \ns Endres doAje 
ffast on my way mdkyng my mone. 

* Ghiy of Warwick,' 11. 2827 f. : 

He sle'ioe my lordys sone \e emperoure 
Thys endurs day in a sbowre. 

* Sir Lambewell,' 1. 282 : I shall die this yenders night * Ipomedon,' B, 

II. 849 f : 

" I am " he sayd " \>e si/raiige squyere 
That servyd my lady pis endris yere^ 

1019. Stode togedir in youre play. As J. Hall has remarked (*K.^ 
Horn,' 1. 32), the verb to play means usually to ride out by wood or 
water. The meaning of the noun often corresponds to this, but not in 
the present instance. 

1063. Notice the concessive force of the infinitive clause here. Cp. 
note to 1. 36. 

1083. Alle churlysshe maners he had in wone. The word wone here 
means * abundance.' Cp. * Legend of Good Women,' 11. 1651 f. : 
Now hath lasoun tJie flees a/nd home is went 
With Medea and tresorful gret won. 

* Piers Plowman,' C. xxiii, 171 : And gafhym gold, good won. 'Golagros 
and Gawane,' 11. 36 f. : 

And all thair vittalis tear gone 
That thay weHdit in wone. 



128 Notes. Lines 1093-1412. 

* Richard Coer de Lion,' 1. 6125 : Off tresore they hadde so mekyl wonne. 
*HomChilde,Ml. 778f. : 

per Ham seiyR \>e megt \trang 

In he rides Mm amang 

d: lays on tod gode won, 
*Seuyn Sages,' 11. 2817 ff.: 

The empermore a/nd his men Ukane 

Of the Sarezins dogh gode toane. 
For other examples see Kittredge, 'Authorship of Romaont of Rose,' 
p. 37. For the derivation of this word from Icelandic vdn see Zupitza's 
note to * Guy of Warwick,' 1. 10329. 

1093. And teas of hlysse I-hroxoghte Alle hare, Cp. * Libeaus Desconus,' 
1. 2088 : Of Uiss he was all bare, ' Amis and Amiloun,' I. 2338 : For me 
of bits \>ou art al bare, * Ipomedon,* A, 1. 2204 : Off blis I were fuU bare, 
Cp. also * Seuyn Sages,' 1788 ; * Ferumbras,' 225 ; ' Sege of Melayne,' 198. 
1134f. I sayde that hys bydyng bayne the dukys doughter of Ascolote 
voas, Cp. Horstmann's ^Nordenghsche Legendensammlang, St. Andrew/ 
1. 117 : To do his biding war \tai bayne, 'Turke and Gowin' (Percy 
Folio, i, 94) : I will be att thy bidding baine ; 'John de Reeve,' 1. 504 
(Percy Folio, ii, 578) : att your bidding wee wUl be baine ; ' York Plays,' 
XX, 284 : And to per bidding bayndy bowe. The spelling with one d is 
frequent in the York and Towneley Plays. Cp. 'Towneley Plays,' xx, 
616 : and bow to thi bydyng as bachlers shold. So also xxii, 1. 

1141. dede is that white as swan/ne. The phrase is used of the male 
sex as well. Cp. * Seuyn Sages,' IL 77 f. : 

The thrid maister was litd man, 

Fair ofchere and white as swan, 

* Octavian' (South English version), 11. 553 fL : 

A tygre pey seye per yn her dan, 
And a mcmchyld whyt as swaii 
Sok of Jier as of a woman. 
Examples of similar phrases are the following : ' Sir Triamore,' 1. 649 : shee 
was as white as lUye flower (see also * Le Morte Arthur,' 2994). 'Sir 
Degree,' 11. 15 f. : 

The King had no more Children but one, 
a daughter white as whales bone, 
^ ^ For a very full enumeration of such comparisons in the romances, see 
Hall's note to * King Horn,' 1. 15. 

1144. The quene ivas as wrothe as wynde. For examples of this 
formula, cp. * Piers Plowman,' C. iv, 486 : As wroih as the toynd wex 
Mede ther(rfter, and so again * Richard the Redeless,* iii, 153. * Patience,' 1. 
410: He wex as wroth as pe wynde towards oure lorde. Other examples 
are * Sir Gawain and the Green'Knight,* 1. 318; 'Golagros and Gawane,' 1. 
770; 'Coventry Mysteries' (Prologue), p. 8. As will be observed, the 
formula was not Langland's property, as M. Jusserand seems to think 
(' L'Epop^e mystique de William Langland,' p. 185). 

1380. Madame, how may thou to us take. Here take to = betake one- 
self to, conmdt. Cp. * Piers Plowman,' C. vii, 154 : 

And yfich telle eny tales, thei taken hem to-geders 
And don mefaste Fridaies to bred and to water, 
where, however, the verb is reflexive. 

1412. yiidle haue t be-sette the dede, Cp. *Sir Triamore,' 11. 339 f. : 
Then ivaxed he wrath, I loeene, 
ct' held his low-ney euill besett. 



Notes. Lines 1537-1904. 129 

* Octavian ' (Northern version, LiDcoln MS.), 11. 870 ff. : 

Now thynke rne righte in my mode 

That \>ou hose wde hysett our gvde. 
1537. here hertys worde = tlie words they had spoken privily together. 
1557. hys visere ouer hys menfalle. N. b. faUe here is the preterite. 
1576 f. Also hlythe Asfovie of day after the nyght Cp. * Sir Degree,' 
11. 802 fE. : 

<b shee teas glad to see that sigtit 

as e^ier the bird teas of daylight. 

* Octavian' (Northern version, Lincoln MS.), 11. 490 ffl : 

Als blythe were \>ay J^ane of \)at syghte 
Als es \>efotdles, whene it es lighte, 
Of \>e dayes glevne, 

* Beues of Hamtoun,' U. 148 ff. : 

(bladder ichamfor \>at sawe 

pan \>e fouel, whan hit ginneth dawe, 

* Horn ChUde,' 11. 754 ff. : 

6; \>an was Horn as fain o si^t 

As is \>efovle of \>e li^t. 

When it ginneth dawe, 
Cp. also * Genesis,' 1. 16. Other examples are given by Kolbing, * Beues 
of Hamtoun,' 1. 148. 

1644. Thov/ghe syr mador myght not go ne Ryde, Cp. * Seuyn Sages,' 
11. 3535 ff. : 

Nay^ series^ it sal noght be swa, 

WhUs that I may ride and ga, 

* Seege of Troye,' 11. 1223 f. : 

Shvld yy wheder I may go or ryde^ 
8e my fader swyche shams betyde ? 
For other examples see Kittredge, ' Authorship of the English Romaunt of 
the Rose,' p. 17 (Boston, 1892). 

1893. the = they. For this spelling of they cp. * Destruction of Troy,' 
1. 4361: And \>e sun the saidoni sothely a god. *Sir lohn Butler' (Percy 
Folio MS.), 1. 37: thS sought that hall then vp and doune. * Young 
Cloudeslie,' Percy Folio MS., 1. 399 : ^' bring her ^ for gods loue'* said thi 
all. The spelling is particularly common in Bisliop Percy's Folio MS., 
but is found throughout Middle English. More surprising perhaps is the 
spelling they for the definite article the. This likewise is frequent in the 
Percy MS. Cp. ' Sir Degree,' 11. 105 f : 

yett peradventtire they time may come 

that I m>ay speake with my oume sonne. 
So 11. 25, 119. * Eger and Grine,' 1. 37: they Ladye granted her good vnll. 
*SirTriamore,Ml. 502ff.: 

when they Lords were sett at uneate^ soone 

the grayhonnd into the hall runn 

amonge the knights gay. 
Cp. also Louelich's * Holy Grail,' chap. 35, 1. 423 et passim. 

1904. Mordreit than toke A wayfidl gayne. Cp. * William of Palerne,' 
1. 4189, \>e geynest gatis. * Rauf Coiljear,' 1. 201, Quhair gangis thow, ged- 
ling, thir gaitis sa gane f Lidgate, 'Thebes,' 1. 2148 : At a posteme forth 
they gonms to ride By a gein pa\>. Much commoner is the phrase at \>e 
awynest = by the shortest road possible. 'Morte Arthure' (Lincoln MS.), 
I. 3114 : To \>e cete vnsene thay soghte at \>e gaynesfe. 'Sir Gawayne and 

MORTE ARTHUR. K 



130 Notes. Lines 1957-2133. 

the Green Knight,* 1. 1973 : /[e]rA; Jwtn \>e fryth <fc fare at \>e paynest. For 
the parallel expressions, taJce the reay \cay, etc., see Zupitza, * Guy of 
Warwick; 1. 10078, and Kolbing's *Ipomedon,' 1. 8731. 

1957. Be he had made a lyteUe Bese, Be as a conjunction = hythe 
time ihatj is not recorded in Matzner's ' Altenglisches Worterbuch,* Strat- 
mann-Bradley, or the *N. E.D.* The above, however, is an evident 
example. Cp. also * Sir Eglamour,' 11. 682 &. : 

Be xij wekys toere comyii and gone, 

CrystyabdU a$ wh/yte asfome, 

AUe pale was hur hewe, 

* Towneley Plays,' xxi, 13 f. : 

Bot at last «fcatt toe he out of haii kmging. 
Be thou haue had ttoo or three hetys worth a hanging. 
' Destruction of Troy,' 1. 814 : By the renke hade hym redid ryses the sun. 

* Merline* (Percy Folio), 11. 2132 ff. : d- by they had rydden a stonde . . . 
he mett with Merlyn on the playne. * Wars of Alexander,' 1. 3900 : Be ])ai 
hadfyneschid Insfi^t, wasferre in with euyn. So also 11. 4437, 5163. For 
examples of he \>at in the same sense cp. ' Lay le Freine,' 1. 232. ^Octavian' 
(Northern version, Cambridge MS.), 1. 1639. 

1979. daheriet hys hrother is de^e hym fro. Similarly in * York Plays,' 
xxxviii, 11. 189 ff. : 

My sorowe is aUfor \>at sight 

pat I gune see, 
Howe Criste my maistir, moste of myght, 
Isdedefro me. 
Cp. likewise, * York Plays,' vi, 6 : pe joie of heiien \>at thaym was lent is 
lost thaym froo. Also in this romance, 1. 654. 

1992. Gaheriet eyUs noght but goode. Cp. * Triamour,' A, 1. 909 : Me 
eylyth nothyng but gode. * Guy of Warwick,' B, 6184 : Tyrrye sehaU eyle 
no\>yng hut gode. For other examples see Kolbing's note to ' Ipomedon,' 
1215. 

2104. Bayses spere and gounfanoune. Phrase often used to denote the 
beginning of an expedition or battle. Cp. 11. 2153, 2527. For gounfa- 
noune cp. *N. E. D.' " In the middle ages chiefly applied to the small flag 
or pennon suspended immediately beneath the steel head of a knight's 
lance " — also such examples as * Sir Tristrem,' 1. 173: Me had his knirtes . . . 
Com Wi\> hors and wepenesfde And rered goinfaynoun. 'Horn CJhilde,' 
11. 65 f. : AUe were \>ai redi tofi^t 

a/nd rered gonfeynoun. 
*Romaunt of the Rose,' 1. 2018: 

There of Love ihe gonfanoun, 
Of curtesye the hanere. 
2108. that Byche towne. Cp. * Guy of Warwick,' B, 1. 8317 : To Alys- 
awndur he went, \>e ryche towne. For many examples of riche cite^ etc. 
see Kolbing, * Ipomedon,' 1. 2031. 

2133. Aswe ne dt(/rste no man nyghe nere. * Sir Ferumbras,' 1. 350, 
\>e knyxt him nexede \>anne neer d; spak til him ]>at tide, * Rowlande and 
Ottueir,' 11. 283 i : 

Lete Duke Naymes lenge at hame 
To kepe pareche wallesfro schame 
pat no gledes neghe \>am nere. 
' York Plays,' v. 36 ff.: 

For oure Lord godforheedis vs itt, 
Thefnde ]>er of Adam nor J, 
to neqhe it nere. 



Notes. Lines 2256-2547. 131 

' York Plays/ iii, 370 : Yet, vxiter nyghys so nere that I sit not dry, 

2256. Tylle ynglande he, the message, Gome. Here msssag e = m^essenger. 
Cp. Chaucer's * Tale of Melibee,' § 71 : And therfore I conseiUe that ye 
sende your m>€ssages, swiche as been discrete and wyse, unto your adver- 
saries, * Troylus and Cryseyde/ ii, 936 f. : Tvx> or three of his messages 
yeden For Fandaras, 

2300. Wemen Arfrde of hyr entoAJle, Entayle meant originally cut, 
fiyrm, and then quality. So * Richard Coer de Lion/ 1. 5669 : An hehne he 
hadde off ryche entayle, * Confessio Amantis,' i, 1087 ff. ; 

An Hors of Bras thei let do forge 

That in this world was nevere man 

That such an other werk began. 
In the present passage the word means rwbture, disposition, Cp. * Confes- 
sio Amantis; i, 11. 1252 ff. : 

Forthi, my Sone, of svxih entaile 

If that thin herte be disposed, 

TeU out and let it noght be glosed, 
2338. thar here is impersonal. Cp. * Wars of Alexander,' 11. 5377 ff. : 
pe thare bot graunt me to getie quat guds as I craue 
And I satt prestly \>at jprince present into ]>i handis. 
So also 'Destruction of Troy/ 1. 2080. 

2369. Ichone A braunche of olyffe in hande. For the olive branch 
as a sign of peace cp. * Kyng Aiisaunder/ 11. 1700 ff. : 

Theose comen, hond by horid, 

Tofore Alisaundre in Tirdond, 

And eche with a braunche of olyve 

That was tohenyng of pes and lyue, 
' Sege of Melayne/ 11. 1213 ff. : 

pe Messangere bare a wande 

Of ane Olefe in his hande 

In takynnynge he come of pece, 

* Generydes,' 11. 3144 ff. : 

Anon these lordes went on ther message, 
Eche man A brawnche of Olyve in his hande 
In token of pece for ther viage. 

* Octavian ' (Northern version, Lincoln MS.), 11. 1173 ff. : 

For \>ab was \>at tym messangere lawe 

A brawnche of olyue for to scheioe 

And it in hand to bere ; 

For the ordynaunce toas so, 

Messengerys schulde sauely come and go. 

And no man do them dere, 
2457. Gremly teres lette they glyde, Cp. 1. 1512, 2083, 2457. Fot 
glyde in the sense of fall see ' Kynge Roberd of Cysille,' 11. 384 f. : 
And thorow that worde yfdle inpryde, 
As the OAi/ngdle that can of hevyn glyde ( = Lucifer). 
' Sir Perceval of Galles/ 11. 2115 f. : 

Righte there appone the fair e molde 

The ryng owte glade. 
For other curious expressions for weeping cp. 1. 1544 : The terys ramie on 
the kyngis kne. * Destruction of Troy,' 1. 865 : Sho broM out bright water 
at hir brode een; ibid. 11. 1286: 

Pit^ of \)at pert knight persit his hert 

pat the shire water shot ouer his shene chekys* 



182 Nates. Lines 2537-2751. 

Also ibid. 1. 3300. The expression above in 1. 2457 does not appear 
among the expressions for weeping given by Zupitza, ^ Athelston ' 1. 275, 
and Breul, * Sir Gowther/ 1. 228. 

2537. N. b. the omission of the subject Similarly in 1. 3598. Cp. also 

* Seege of Troy/ 11. 1469 ff. : 

Now shuU ye here of Achilles : 
Whenne of bed arysyn ioas 
Toioard the haiayle he came rydyiig. 

< Beues of Hamtoun/ 11. 829 f.: 

panne a sette horn to mou\>e 
And blew \>e pris ase wel k(yii]>e. 

< Sir Ferumbras/ 1.222: 

By'}penk \>e how \nf blod ys schad d; hast a grislich vxmnde. 
Cp. P. de Reurs ' Language of Caxton's Reynard the Fox ' (Ghent, 1901), 
pp. 30 f. for instances of the same thing. For omission of the subject in 
Old English see A. Pogatscher, ' Anglia/ xxiii, 261 ff. 

2575. That longe wylle not droupe And dare. Cp. L. Minot*8 * Poems,' i, 9: 
In Ins dale I droupe a/nd dare 
For dem dedes \)at done me dere. 

So * Awntyrs of Arthure' (Ireland MS.), 1. 52: Thay dro\ipun and daren. 
See also * Morte Arthure ' (Lincoln MS.), 1. 4007, and ' Seege of Troy/ 1. 
1413. The word dare here, which means "to tremble with fear," is of 
obscure origin, and of course not identical with the common verb of that 
form. According to the * N. E. D.' it does not appear in the documents 
until about 1200. It is still in dialect use, not onljr in North Britain but 
in the Midland and South and South-western districts. Cp. Wright's 

* English Dialect Dictionary.' 

2592. Such spellings as wile (= wolle) are particularly common in 
Robert of Brunne's 'Handlyng Synne,' e.g. wrdys {=wordys\ 1. 545: 
%Me (= w6Lde\ 1. 693, xorlde (= worUe), 1. 829, wnt (= wont), 1. 914. 

2750. Owte he Bode A grete Bandoune, Cp. * Sowdone of Babylone,' 
11. 200 f. : Forth than rode \>atfaire Ooste 

With right goode chere and randon. 

* Beues of Hamtoim,' II. 4499 : 

He armede him in yrene wede 
A)id lep vpon a steme stede 
And rod forth itn> gret randoun. 

* Libeaus Desconus,' 338 f. : 

Togeder \>ey gonne ride 
Wt]^ toell greet raundoun, 

* Sir Degree,' 1. 446 : TJiey rode together then vnth great randome. ' Kyng 
Alisaunder,* 11. 2483 ff. : 

Ky}yj and duyk, eorl and baroun, 
Prikid the stedis with gret raundoun. 

' Sir Forumbraa,' 1. 890 : 

]Mtn cam tU him a sarsyn proxU 
pt^ikifng wi)) rendoun. 

Also « ttiolmnl Co^r tit> Lion,* 1. 4815. 

2761. (i^t(mi/»i h/ti Af covde of werre. So 1. 2892. Cp. * Seege of 
Troye/ll. I04ft!\: ^ 

hjiitdt^imuliflii u\u 1^1^ namey 
MiHht^ »h^ eoHxi of gle and game. 



Notes. Lines 3166-3613. 133 

*York Plays,' xxxi, 1. 148: Nay, my lorde, he can of no hourdyng, 
' Libeaus Desconus/ 11. 1513 ff. : 

For \ns fair lady 

Cou\>e more of sorcery 

\>en o\>er swichefive, 

* Ipomedon,' A, 1. 319 : The hurgays cotvth of cmrtessye, ' Sir Degree,' 1. 
681 : Sir Degree cold of curtesye. * Ipomedon/ B, 1. 792 : All men Iconne 
not ofjustynge. 

3166. And syr mordred can to the contre. can = gan^ and the verb of 
going is omitted after the auxiliary as frequently in Modern German. 

3172. Seyferth (pp. 18 f.) suggests here the substitution of *cled 
"anstatt des siimlosen gledde." The alliteration, however, evidently 
demands a form with g, so I have adopted the view of the * N. E. DJ (see 
gled) that we have here a variant form of cled. Dr. Furnivall's gloss to 
this word, viz. burning, glowing, is certainly not correct. 

3339. Byght so they trotted vppon \>e grovmde. For trot in the general 
sense of advance cp. *Wars of Alexander/ J. 2610: Trottis him on to 
Tigre <fc \>are his tentis settis. Cp. also ibid. 1. 2988. 

3407. Off bote they saw no better bdd, Cp. * Sir Tristrem,' 1. 1323 : Of 
bot sche vxLs him beld. * Bone Florence of Rome,' 11. 1718 f. : 
£tU as a woman dyscovmfortyd sare 
Wythowten bote or bdde, 
3422 f. : To the kynge spake he fuH sty^, 

Bewffully as he myght than Bovme. 
Cp. *Octavian' (Southern version), 11. 939 ff.: 
Ech day he sente to toune 

pat fowle Yyng to aske batayle with mfvll roune 
Ayeiis \>e kyng. 
3498. hdpe w€ sone that I ware there, Cp. ' Holy Grail,' ch. 56, 11. 
347 f. : but hdpeth me hens Owt Anon 

that Owt Of this Chambre I were gon. 

* Generydes,' 1. 3784 : hdpe that I were Ai^myd anon, * Eger and Grine,' 
11, 234 f.: hdpe that I were sounded with one sleepe 

d; som^ Easment for me and m>y hackney, 

* Libeaus Desconus,' 11. 660 f.: 

Hdpe Libeaus Desconus 

pat he wer nou^t y-schent, 
*Sir Triamore,' 11. 443 f.: 

h^lpe me, Sir, out of this Mischeefe ! 

att some towne that I were, 
*Beuesof Hamtoun,' 1. 1627: And help \>at \>is f>efwerded. The same 
construction occurs with that omitted. *Sir Ferumbras,' 1. 217: 

Bo \>at myn armes sone be heer 

<Sc hdp me y were a-rayde. 
We have a curious extension of this construction in instances like the 
following. * Beues of Hamtoun,' 11. 1080 : 

losian, Jje faire maide, 

Vn-arme Beues, he wer at mete 

And serus \>e self him \>er ate. 
3613. Idke ye Bappe yow notvpto B^yde. Cp. * Cursor Mundi,' 1. 25439 : 
ri2]ape \>e Umerd nuforto ren, * JPiers Plowman,' C. ii, 90 f.: Kynges and 
kwy^tes shoulde . . . llyden and rappe adoune in reames ahoute, * Destruc- 
tion of Troy,' 1. 818 : And now rapis hym to ryse db rom from his bede. 
< Rowlande and Ottuell,' 1. 255 : 

Nay, sir, we tci'tt our baidU guy 



134 Notes, Lines 3733-3940. 

And rape vsfor to ryde 
Agayne )>e Emperour, sir Crarcy, 
3733. To cover the q\vene of hyr care. Cp. * Sir Ysumbras/ 11. 487 AT. : 

\>e kyng stoare 
When he were coxierde of his care 
That he wclde dvJbbe hym knyghte. 
«Athel8ton,Ml. 331f.: 

Ood may cotiere hem off here care 
Or \>at I depe a wynke, 
*Morte Arthure' (Lincoln MS.), 1. 859: The care of \hU creatoure ccmer 
aaU I neuer. 'Eri of Tolous,' 11. 382 ff. : Myght y oght get of that free 
.... HytvxM covyr me of care, Horstmanu's ' Nordengliscne Legen- 
densammiung, St. Nicholas, 1. 137 : And out of care so covered he. Cp. 
also *Athel8ton/ 1. 41; *Octavian' (Northern version, Lincoln MS.), 
L525. 

3757. And ofte he changyd hyde and hewe. *Squyr of Lowe Degre/ 
11. 387 f. : 

I wo\dde not for my crovone so netve 
That lady chatmge hyde or hewe. 
« Death and Liffe,' IL 157 f. : 

<£? iiiee the ffoulest ffreake that formed was euer 
both of hide (k hew. 

* Richard Coer de Lion,' 11. 675 fl : 

He was Ynglysch and wd trew 
Be speche and syghte, hyde and hew. 

* Eger and Grine,* 1. 263 : The Ladyefayre of Hew cfc hyde, ' Destruction 
of Troy,' 11. 3908 f.: 

pofreikes werefourmet offeturs \a']l%ke 
Bothe of hyde d; of hew to hede of a mykeU. 

* York Plays,* viii, 22 : And fordone hoyly^ hyde and he^ve. * Rowlands 
and Ottuell,' 1. 1230 : FnUfa/yre of hewe d; hyde. 

3764 Aiui wdcomyd launcdot as the hmd, *St Edmund the Con- 
fessor,' 1. 102 : pis hdi chUd ne womde hire no^t ac d/iide as \>e hende ; 

* Emare,' 1. 84 : He wdlcomed hym as \>e hende ; * Sir Eglamour of 
Artois,' 1. 124 : Aftur mete do ye as hyiuie ; * Kyng Alysaunder,' 1. 6324 : 
Ther [he"] dude noght as the wise ! 

3832. So lyte^ they wexe of lyn And lerys. Cp. ' Eger and Qrine,' 
11. 597 ff. : for there is neither Lin nor light 

that Egeking my swor^ meeteth with 
hut gladlye it will through itt gone. 
*Golagros and Gawane,' 11. 81 f.: 

Schir Kay ruschit to the roist and reftfra the swane. 
Lightly daught^ throu lust^ the lymfra the lyre. 
Similarly * Hali Meidenhad,' p. 21 : Se ferliche ha driuen dun to pe eorthe^ 
\>at al ham is to-limety li^ ha S lire. ' St. Juliana,' p. 59 : As]Hxt istdede 
im tO'limede hire d; to-leac li^ ha d; lire. As Matzner (* Altenglisches 
Worterbuch') remarks, this lire (lyre) = Ags. lira^ meaiiing flesh, musde, 
was easily confounded with lire (lere) = Ags. /iWor, meaning cheek, face. 
Cp. also Amours' note to the above passage from * Golagros and -Gawane.' 
3940. Vnto Ihesu cryste Aske I A hoone. By analogy to the expression 
" make a boon." Cp. ' Sir Eglamour of Artois,' 1. 101 : To Jhesti Cryste he 
made a hoone. 



135 



EDITIONS OF MIDDLE ENGLISH TEXTS 

REFEERED TO IN THE NOTES. 

AUenglische Dlchtungen des MS. Had. 2253, berauagegeben von K. Bbd- 

deker, Berlin, 1878. 
AltengliBclie Legenden, Neue Folge, lieraiiagegebeo von Carl Horstmann. 

HeilbroQu and LeipBic, 1878^1, 
Amis and AmilouQ, berausgegebeii von E, Kolbtng. Hetlbronn, 1884 

(* Altengliache Bibliotliek '). 
Artboar and Merbn, beraiisgegeben von E. Kolbing. Leipsic, 1890 

(* Altenglfsche Bibliotbek ')» 
Atbelstcmj lierausgegeben von J. Zupitza, * Engliscbe Studien,' vol. xiii. 
Awntyra of Arthure at the Tarnewathelan, in 'Scottisb Alliterative 

Poems/ ed. F. J. Amours (Scottish Text Societv). Edinburgbj 1897. 
Babees Book, ed. F, J. Furnivail. London, 1868(E.KT,S.)- 
Beues of Hamtoun (The Romance of Sir), ed. E. Kolbing. London, 

188i>-94(E.E.T.S.), 
Blancbardyn and Eglantine (Caxton^s), ed. L. Kellner. London, 1890 

k(E. E, T. a). 
Booe Florence of Rome (Le), herauRgegeben von Wilholm Vietor, 1893. 
Bruce (Tbe), by John Barbour, ed. W, W, Skeat. London, 1870 et mu 
(E, E. T. S,). 
Cleaunese, ed. Richard Morris, in * Early Engliab Alliterative Poems,' 

London, 1864 (E. E. T. S.). 
Confeasio A mantis. Complete Works of John Gower, ed* G. C. Macaulay. 

Oxford, 1899 ei seg., vola. ii, and iii. 
Coventry Plays (published under the name of Ludus CoventriaeJ, ed, J. 0. 

Halliwell. London, 1841, Shakespeare Society. 
Cursor Miindi, ed. Richard MorrtB. LoiKionj 1874 ei mq. (E. E. T, 8.). 
---Death ^nd LylFe, in Biabop Percys Folio MS., ed. J. W, Males and F. J, 

Furnivulh London, 1868, vol. iii. 
Degree (Sir), in Percy's Folio MS., ed Hales? and Furnivail, vol. iiL 
Destruction of Troy, ed, Panton and Donaldsori, London, 1869 

(E.E.T.S.)., 
Eger and Grine, in Percy's Folio MS., ed. Hales and Furnivail, vol. i. 
Egkmour of Artois (Sir), in ' Tlie Thornton Romances,' ed. J. 0. Halliwell 

for the Camden Society. London^ 1844. 
Emare, edited by A. B.Gougli, London, 1901 (Morabacli and Holthatisen'a 

* Old and Middle English Texts *). 
Erl of ToulouBj herausgegeben von G. Liidtke. Berlin, 1881. 
Ferumbras (Sir), ed. S. j; Herrtage. London, 1879 (E. E, T. S.). 
Floria und Bhmnchefliir, berausgegeben von E. HauBknetht. Berlin, 1885. 
Foiire Sonnea of Aymon, ed. 0. Richardson. London, 1885 (E. E. T, S.), 
Gawayne and the Green Knight (Sir)^ ed, Richard Morris. London, 1864 

(kE.T.S.). 
Gawene and the Carle of Ciirelyle (Sir), in * Syr Gawayne,' ed* Sir F. 

Madden, 1839 (Bannatyne Club). 
Generydes, ed. W. A. Wright. London, 1879 (E. E. T. S.). 
Golagroa and Gawane, in * Scottish Alliterative Poems,* ed. F. J. Amours 

(Scottish Text Society). Edinburgh, 1897. 



136 Editions of Middle English Texts. 

Gowther (Sir), herausgegeben von K. Breul. Oppeln, 1886. 

Guy of Warwick (The Romance of), ed. J. Zupitza. London, 1875-76 

/■p IT T S ^ 
Handlyng Synne, Part I., ed. F. J. Furnivall. London, 1903 (E. E. T. S.). 
Havelok (The Lay of), ed. W. W. Skeat Oxford, 1902. 
Holy Grail, by H. Louelich, ed. P. J. Furnivall. London, 1874-78 

(E.E.T.&). 
Horn Childe, ea. J. Hall as Appendix to his edition of King Horn. Ox- 

, ford, 1901. 
Ipomedon, herausgegeben von E. Kolbing. Breslau, 1889. 
King of Tars, herausgegeben von P. Krause, * Englische Studien/ vol. xi. 
Kyng Alisaunder in * Metrical Romances/ ed. H. Weber, 1810, vol. i. 
Lambewell (Sir), in Percy's Folio MS., vol. i. 
Lay le Fraine, herausgegeben von H. Vamhagen. Anglia, vol. iii. 
La^amon's Brut, ed. Sir F. Madden. London, 1847. 
Libeaus Desconus, herausgegeben von M. Ealuza. Leipsic, 1890 (' Alteng- 

lische Bibliothek '). 
Merline, in Percy's Folio MS., vol. i. 

Morte Arthure (Lincoln MS.), ed. M. M. Banks. London, 1900. 
Morte Darthur, by Sir Thomas Malory, ed. H. 0. Sommer. London, 

1889-91. 
Octavian, herausgegeben von G. Sarrazin. Heilbronn, 1885 ('Altenglische 

Bibliothek '). 
Patience, ed. Richard Morris in 'Early English Alliterative Poems.' 

London, 1864 (E.E.T.S.). 
Pearl, ed. L Gollancz. London, 1891. 
Perceval of Galles (Sir), in 'The Thornton Romances,' ed. J. 0. Halliwell. 

London, 1844. 
Piers Plowman (The Vision of William concerning), ed. W. W. Skeat. 

Oxford, 1886. 
Rauf CoiJ3ear (Taill of), herausgegeben von M. Tonndorf, 1894. 
Richard Coer de Lion, in * Metrical Romances,' ed. H. Weber. Edin- 
burgh, 1810, vol. ii. 
Roberd of Cisyle, herausgegeben von R. Nuck. Berlin, 1887. 
Romans of Partenay, ed. W. W. Skeat. London, 1866 (E. E. T. S.). 
Romaunt of the Rose, in * Tlie Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer,' ed. 

W. W. Skeat. Oxford, 1894-97, vol. i. 
Rowlande and Ottuell (Romance of Duke), ed. S. J. Herrtage. London, 

1880(E.E.T.S.). 
Seege of Troye, ed. C. H. A. Wager. Boston, 1899. 
Sege of Melayne, ed. S. J. Herrtage. London, 1880 (E. E. T. S.). 
-- Seuyn Sages, in ' Metrical Romances,' ed. H. Weber, vol. iii. 
Sowdone of Babylone, ed. E. Hausknecht. London, 1881 (E. E. T.S.). 
Squyr of Lowe Degree, in * Remains of the Early Popular Poetry of Eng- 
land,' ed. W. C. Hazlitt. London, 1866, vol. ii. 
Torrent of Portyngale, ed. E. Adam. London, 1887 (E. E. T. S.). 
Towneley Plays, ed. G. England. London, 1897 (E. E. T. S). 
— Triamore (Sir), in Percy's Folio MS., vol. ii. 
Tristrem (Sir), herausgegeben von E. Kolbing. Heilbronn, 1882. 
Wars of Alexander, ed. W. W. Skeat. London, 1886 (E. E. T. S.). 
William of Palerne, ed. W. W. Skeat. London, 1867 (E. E. T. S.). 
York Plays, ed. L. T. Smith. Oxford, 1885. 
Ysumbras (Sir), herausgegeben von J. Zupitza und G. 5chleich, Berlin, 

1901 (Palaestra, xv). 
Twain and Gawain, herausgegeben von G. Schleich, Oppeln and Leipsic, 

1887. 



137 



GLOSSARY. 



A, adj. all, 2462. 

A, conj. and, 2844. 

A, conj. if, 2832. 

Abbyte, s, habit, robe, 3793., 

Abydb, tj. wait for, 162. 

Abye, subj. 2 8, pay for, suffer for, 
1387 ; jwe*. 3 s. abought, 2523. 

AcORDEMENT, 8, agreement, compo- 
sition of differences, 1639. 

AcouNTRBS, «. pi, encounters^ 1589. 

Adyght, p.p, prepared, 1545. 

A-FROUGHTE, j?.|?. afraid, 2295, 2413. 

Agayne, iwep. towards, to meet, 
709 ; opposite to, before, 2648. 

Agiltb, p.p. sinned against, wrong- 
ed, 915, 1322 ; pret 3 s. agulte, 
1154. 

Alblasters, 8.j}l. cross-bows, 2729. 

All-myght, ac^. almighty, 675. 

Also, adv. as, 1576. 

And, conj. if, 161, 239, 1706, 2846, 
3945. 

Antoore, 1829. See Aunt(e)re. 

Aparaylmente, 8. dress, apparel, 
2055. ^^ 

Appar(r)ayle, 8. furnishings, 969; 
accomplishments in arms, 1748. 

Are, adv. before, 291, 977. 

Armytes, 8. gen. hermit's, 3950. 

As, conj. as if, 220. 

A^CRYE, v: call upon, 2126. 

Assent(e), 8. opinion (in common 
with others), 1722, 1937, 2604. 

As-tyte, adv. quickly, 488, 3713. 

AUAUNTEMENT, 8. boast, 1617. 

Aught, pret. 1 «. owned, possessed, 

653. 
Aunt(e)re, 8. adventure, fortune, 

33,362, 1903;pl. auntres,719,983. 
Auntur(e)s, 8. pi. 3, 6, 11, 19, 1906. 

See Aunt(e)re. 
Awaytes, pi'e8. 3 «. watches, 64. 
AwiSE, imperat. 2 8. (reflexive), 

bethink oneself, reflect, 2568. 
Aythur, indef. pron. either, each, 

3278. 



Bale, s. sorrow, 628, 1074. 

Bare, s. boar, 229, 951. 

Batayles, 8. pi. battalions, divi- 
sions, 3306. 

Bayne, adj, straight, ready, obedi- 
ent, 991, 1134, 3217, 3315. 

3e, conj. by the time that, when, 
1861, 1957. 

Be(e), s. ring, 3179, 3419. 

Be-cryed, p.p, accused, 2774. 

Bede, v. offer, 849, 1462, 3356; 
proclaim, 32, 41, 348 ; pre8. 1 pi. 
3274. 

Bedene, Bydene, adv. together, 24, 
70, 546, 723, 1513, 1663, 1760, 
2278; well, completely, 1684, 
1728. 

Beghe, 8. ring, 2625. See Be(e). 

Begredde, pret. 3 pi. accused, 1812. 

Beld, 8. comfort, 3407. 

Beleue, Beleve, v. remain, 759, 
3963 ; leave, 558 ; pret. 3 s. be- 
lefte, by-lefte, 60, 1765. 

Bemys, 8. pi. trumpets, 2707. 

Bene, v. be, 1503. 

Bente, 8. field (of battle), 3359, 
3374. 

Bente, p.p. stretched, 990. 

Bere, 8. bray, sound, 2127, 

Bere, pret. 3 s. bore, 638. 

Besaunt(e), 8. a gold coin of By- 
zantian origin, 3179, 3419 ; pi. 
Besavntis, 3542. 

Besettb, Bysette, p.p. employed, 
applied, 1412, 1568. 

Bethe, pres. 3 8. {in future «enae), 
will be, 1727; pre8. 3 pi. are, 
1825; imper.2pl. be, 1881. 

Bette, pret. 3 pi. beat, 13. 

Blanne. SeeBLYNNE. 

Ble(e), 8. complexion, countenance, 
739, 3504, 3779, 3876. 

Bloc, adj. blue, 151. 

Blyndis, pres. 3 8. becomes blind, 
311. 

Blynne, v. decline, ^cease, stop, 37, 



138 



Glossary. 



1691, 1824, 2999, 3039, 3727; 

pret. 3 s. BLANNE, 3364. 
Blyvk, adv, quickly, 3706. 
BoDDYN, p.p. prayed, 2803. 
Bode, s. message, report, 3468. 
BoDE-woBDE, s. promise, 3274. 
BoGHT, p.p. paid for, redeemed, re- 
quited, 470, 3009, 3483, 3718. 
Bold, adj. sure, 3009, 3483. 
BoLDE, adv. surely (?), 3688. 
Bone, s. limb, 117. 
Bo(o)ne, «. prayer, request, 2803, 

3787, 3940. 
BoRD, ». table, 859. 
Bote, s. remedy, help, amends, 3303, 

3407, 3486, 3840. 
BoTHls, adj. gen. both, 176. 
Bought. See Boght. 
BouNTE, «. valour, knightly quali- 
ties, 126, 1739. 
BowNE, adj. ready, prepared, 941, 

2151, 2525, 2882, 3427, 3803. 
BowNE, V. make ready, 3257. 
Bba8t(e), v. break, burst, 3492 ; 

pret. 3 «. 188, 1343, 2178, 3077, 

3135, 3774. 
Brated, prtt. 3 8. drew suddenly, 

3344. 
Braundisshid, prcf. 3 s. flourished 

about, moved vigorously, 117. 
Breme, adj. fierce, 229, 951, 1600, 

2214, 2606, 3249. 
Brenne, v. bum, 2507 ; pret 3 pL, 

Brexte, 2537; p.p. Brent(e), 

943, 1319, 1939, 3697. 
Brbre, «. briar, wild rose, 179, 724, 

835. 
Browgh^ a. town, 2707. 
B(jsk(e), 17. get ready, hasten, betake 

oneself 349, 2505, 3427 ; pres. 3 «. 

BUSKES, -IS, 547, 2525, 2715 ; pret 

3, BUSKED, -yd, 699, 2151, 2882, 

3579, 3803 ; p.p. buskyd, 1808. 
BusKYD. See Busk(e). 
By, «. be, 34, 876; pres. sxibj. 3 s. 1759. 
By-calle, v. accuse, impeach, 1553. 
By-dene. See Bedene. 
Bydyng, «. bidding, 1134. 
Bygqyd, |).j). built, 3619. 
Byggyng, 8. building, dwelling, 3767. 
By-heste, s. offer, 3296. 
By-know, v. confess, 916. 
By-lefte. See Beleue. 
By-mene, v. mean, 856. 
Byrd, 8. bride, lady, 2989, 3632. 



By-sette. See Be-sette. 
By-spake, pret 3 s. spoke to, 2404. 
By-take, r. deliver, hand over to, 
2283;2)re«. 3^)^.2346. 

Caste, pret 3 «. looked, 3776. 

Chase. See Chese. 

Chere, s. countenance, manner, 477, 

540, 781. 
Chese, v. choose, 2973; pret, 3, 

chese, 419, 514, 2355, 2522, 3290 ; 

pret 3, chase, 2957, 3561. 
Clepis, pres. 3 s, calls, summons, 

106, 387, 2540; jpre*. 3 s. clepid, 

Clepyd, 1444, 2668, 3606, 3868. 
Clongyn, p.p. withered, shrunk up, 

761. 
Clouohis, 8. gen, ravines, 893. 
Clyppe, v. embrace, 3927 ; pres. 3 s. 

CLYPPis, 1547 ; pret 3 s, clypped, 

1801. 
CoLDE, V. grow cold, 3647. 
CoLOURE, s. hue, countenance, 2816. 
CoMSEMENT, «. Commencement, 1726. 
CoRAGE, s. heart, 3777. 
CoRDEMENT, 8. agreement, reconeili- 

ation, 2422, 2426. 
CoRSSE, 2880. See Crosse. 
CoRTESSLY, adv. courteously, 2283. 
CouDE, CovDE, CowDE, pret. 3 s. 

knew, 3617, 3809; had know- 
ledge, was skilled, 2750, 2892. 
CouTH(E),|>re*. could, knew, 104,223, 

1446, 1676 ; p.p. known, 2248. 
Cover, v. recover, heal, 3733 ; pret^ 

3 8. couERYD, 2856, 3134, 3736. 
Crye, 8. company (of contestants at 

a tournament), 44. 
Crye, v. proclaim, 342. 
Craftely, adv. skilfully, 390. 

Dale, v. deal, 1076 ; pret. 3 pi. dal- 

TYN, 2897; p.p. DALTE, tinished, 

3259. 
Dare, v. crouch in fear, be afraid, 

2575. 
Dede, 8. death, 911. 
Dede, s. capacity, 493. 
Deffend, r. exclude, 3049. 
Departe, v. part, 1805, 3704 ; subj. 

3 8. divide, 3704 ; p.p. departed, 

come to an end, 743. 
Dere, 8. harm, 3701 
Dkre, v. harm, 2896. 
Dkrfe, adj. terrible, 2607. 



Glossary. 



139 



Desse, «. dais, 2269. 

Devoyede, imp&fai, 2 «. get out of, 
1167, 

Deynqe, «. dying, 1047. 

DiGHT u (twirans.)* fi^et ready (espe- 
cially of arming), 167, 1874; dress, 
326 ; attend to, 717 ; imperat, 1 
pi. 2134, 2 «. 2450 ; p.p. got ready, 
prepared, 142, 466, 673, 876, 1884, 
1896; put, 847; disposed of, 1909 ; 
conditioned, 2000. 

Do, V. cause to, 1003 ; pret. 3 s. did, 

DYD, 341, 1121, 2602; p.p. DONE, 

370,2328; imperat. 2 pi. dothe, 

put, 3883. 
Doel(l)e, s. sorrow, 682, 873. 
DOLWYN, p.p. buried, 3604. 
Dome, «. command, 2260 ; pi. domys, 

2482. 
Done, injm. 1122. See Do. 
DoRE, 17. endure, 238. 
Drake, s. dragon, 2607. 
Dbayne, ».j). drawn, 869, 1997, 2164, 

3014, 3325. 
Drechyd, p.p. disturbed, troubled, 

1869. 
Dreqhe, adj. great, 2621. 
Droupe, v. sink down (from fear), 

2576. 
Dryhe, in On Dryhe, aside, apart, 

2826. 
DuELLE, DwELLE, 8. sorrow, mourn- 
ing, 2244, 2468 ; pity, 1742, 1971, 

2126. 
Dul(e)fullt, adv. pitiably, 1406, 

DuoGHTY, adj. doughty, 24. 
DwELLE, V. stay, stop, 1769, 1790, 

1793; mbj.pl. 1776. 
DwELLE, 8. See Duelle. 
DwELLYNGE, 8. staying, 80. 
Dyght. See Dight. 
Dynt(e), 8. blow, 484, 603, 2173, 

2763,2812; pi. dyntis, 1076, 2801. 
Dyskere, v. disclose, 1736. 

Edder, 8. adder, 3341. 

Ellis, ad/v. else, 943. 

Eme, 8. uncle, 1681; gen. eme-is, 
2960. 

Endris, adj. other, 1017. 

Entayle, 8. fashion, quality, charac- 
ter, 976, 2300; good form, 3273. 

Entente, 8. assiduous effort, endea- 
vour, 3691. 



Enterdite, 17. lay under an inter- 
dict, 2263; p.p. enterdyt, entyr- 
dyted, 2268, 2284. 

EuYN, adv. straight, 3616. 
-EuYN, 8. evening, 2236. 

Eyne, 8. pi. eyes, 3266, 3436. 

Fallys, pres. 3 8. befits, 1119 ; pret. 

3 8. fell, was suitable, 1122. 
Fantyse, 8. vain thing, 2647. 
Fare, 8. matter, business, 945. 
Fare, v. go, journey, 166, 222, 249, 

688. 
Fasowne, 8. fashion, kind, 2631. 
Faste, 17. make fast, confirm, 3324. 
Fayne, adj. happy, 3200; eager, 

3799. 
Fee, 8. possessions, 2719. 
Fele, adj. many, 6, 2019, 2032, 2157. 
Felly, adv. fiercely, cruelly, 3391. 
Fer, adi7. far, 2400. 
Fere, adj. sound, in good condition, 

411, 662. 
Fere, s. company, 2222, 3402, 3702, 

39()0; pi. ferys, companions, 

3830. 
Ferly, adv. wonderfully, 6, 3176. 
Ferre, adv. far, 2982, 3019, 3167. 
Fette, p.p. fetched, taken, 1067. 
Feyght, 8. fight, 1489. 
Feyght(e), 17. fight, 1318, 1397, 

1436. 
Fewtred, pret. 3 pi. put into 

"fewter," the felt-lined rest for the 

spear attached to the saddle, 3367. 
Fleme, 17. reject, 2673; pret. 3 «. 

FLEMYD, banished, 3660; p.p. 

FLEMYD, banished, 3766. 
FoLDE, 8. ground, 3549. 
FoLDE, V. bend, 99 ; yield, 2547 ; 

clasp, 3771. 
FoLE, 8. fool, 2672. 
FoLYD, p.p. foolish, 402. 
FoNDE, »re*. 3 pi. advanced, 3337. 

See Found. 
FoNE, adj. few, 2378. 
FoNE, pret. 3 8. took, 1796. 
FoNE, 8. pi. foes, 3211. 
FoNGE, 17. receive, 3503. 
FoRBARE, pret. 1 8. spared, 2836. 
FoRBARE, p.p. miscreated creature ? 

3741. 
FoRBEDE, Spre8. 8ubj. forbid, 3681. 
FoRBLED, p.p. weakened by loss of 

blood, 3434. 



140 



Glossary. 



FORBRENDE, FORBRENT, p.p. put tO 

death by burning, 1666, 1926. 
FORLORNE, p.p, lost, 3209. 
FoRNE, prep, for, 3211. 
FoRSETTE, pret. 3 8, set round with 

a guard, 3046. 
FoR-THY, can), therefore, 104, 1088, 

1141, 2394, 2408 ; because, 1878. 
FoR-THTNKE, V, rue, repent, 2737; 

pres, 3 B. FOR-THYNKETH, 3849. 
For(e)ward, s. offer, agreement, 

3302 ; pL. forwardys, 2673, 3270, 

3324. 
FoR-WERY, ad), very weary, tired 

out, 2901. 
FoR-woNDRED, p.p. full of wonder, 

2730. 
FoR-WHY (that), c(yiij. wherefore, 

33, 2617 ; because, 97 ; on condi- 
tion that, 389. 
FoRYELDE, 3pre«. fvbj. reward, 1548. 
Fo(u)nde, Fownd(e), v. thrust, 

2159 ; advance (trans.) 2551 ; 

advance {irUrans.) 2553 ; go, 

3513 ; strive, 3229 ; imperat. 2 pi. 

FOUNDIS, 2551. 
Fre(e), adj. noble, open, generous, 

75, 90, 242, 408, 454, 1009, 3643. 
Frele, ad), frail, 2300. 
Frely, ad), noble, 2939, 3121, 3329. 
Frely, adv. very, 3772. 
Freste, adv. first, 1151. 
Freyned, wret. 3 s. asked, 678. 
Friste, adj. first, 149 ; adv. 736. 
Fro, prep, from, 633, 1979, 1987. 
Fyfty, adj, fiftieth, 3895. Probably 

a mistake for Fyfte. 

Gab, v. tell lies, 1147, 1156; pret. 

1 8. QABBYD, 1105, 1132, 1138. 

Game, s. delight, mirth, 96, 430, 611 ; 

pi. GAMYS, 3227. 
Gatys, 8. gen. thus gatys = in this 

way, 1712. 
Gayne, adj. straight, 1904. 
Gere, s. gear, things, 3736. 
Geste, 8. guest, 453. 
GiLTE, p.p. wronged, 1377. 
Glad,v. be glad, 3227. 
Gledde, p.p. clothed, dressed, 3172. 
Glede, 8. a live coal, fire, 780, 2742, 

2793. 
GLENTE,^e<. 3 8. glinted forth, 3493. 
Glewe, 8. jokes, 1164. 
Gleyves, 8. pi. spears, 3078, 3096. 



Glode, piet. 3 8. glided, 3341. 
GoN(NE),pre*. 3, began, 1390 ; did, 

99, 139, 1031; p.p, done, 1780. 
Goode, adj. pi. good, brave men, 

2157. 
Go(u)nfanodne, Gonfanownb, 8. 

small flag or pennon attached to 

the lance just below the steel 

head, 2104, 2153, 2464, 2886, 

3096. 
Grande, pres. 1 8. grant, 2318. 
Graythes, pre8. 3 pi. get ready, 

2530 ; pret, 3 a. graythid, 2739. 
Gre(e), 8. prize, preeminence, 48, 

2409. 
Gredde, pret. 3 s. drew, 1838. 
Grede, v. cry, 791, 1390 ; pres. 2 s. 

GREDYS, accusest, 1572. 
Gretb, adj. great, 682. 
Gynne, 8, device, stratagem, 3037. 

3ARE, adj. ready, 2505, 2608; «. 

Yare. 
3EME, V. take care of, 2512. 

Hald, 1?. hold, consider, 2336, 2497; 

pres, 3|>i. 2925 ; pres, 3 s, haldys, 

89 
Hale, s. hall, 1078. 
Hailsed, pret. 3 s, saluted, 2632. 
Han, Hanne, pres. 3 oZ. have, 2417, 

3209. 
Heldb, t?. incline, 184; yield, 261, 

2141. 
Hele, 8. salvation, 3655. 
Hele, v. conceal, 143,-466, 1678, 

2967, 3840. 
HEM,^eraon. jpron» them., 1464, 2123. 
Hend(e), adj. gentle, courteous, 110, 

330, 541, 623, 1529, 2469, 3764. 
Hende, adv. near, at hand, 332. 
Hendely, adv. courteously, grace- 
fully, with good manners, 600, 

1613, 2638, 2710, 3922. 
Hente, pret. 3 s. seized, laid hold 

of, took, 1037, 2853, 3491, 3934 ; 

p.p. KENT, 3023. 

Herse, 8. a frame designed to carry 

the candles lighted in honour of 

the dead, 3532. 
Hest(e), 8. promise, vow, 2660, 

2688, 2697, 3686. 
Hette, p.p. promised, 2697. 
Hight(e), Hyght(e), pres. 3 s. is 

called, 3960 ; pret. 3 s. was called. 



Glosmry. 



141 



93, 883, 1474 ; 'p.'p, called, 2487 ; 

promised, 1447, 3252. 
Holly, ad'o, entirely, wholly, 935, 

945, 2980. 
HoLTYS, a. ^l, groves, 3029. 
HoLYCHE, ad'o, wholly, 3826. 
Hope, jwe«. 1 «. think, 490, 1491, 

2737,3543 ; 'preL 3 s. hopyd, 2491, 

3620. 
HoRE, adj. grey (from lichen, per- 
haps), ancient, 314, 3029. 
HoRSYD, 'pret. 3 5. mounted, 87. 
Houyd, Hovid, 'j^et, lingered, 259, 

2622. 
Hye, a. haste, 2830. 
Hye, imperat 2 s, haste, 3452. 
Hyght, s. Hight. 
B^YTTE, pers, pron. it, 3711, 3834. 

I-bente, p.p. adorned, 1035. 
IcHE, indef. pron. each, 1685, 2109, 

2367, 2504, 3761. 
IcHONE, indef. pron. every one, 627, 

2036, 2369. 
I-DiGHTE, p.p. got ready, 610. 
Ilke, Ylke, ady. same, 1765, 1886, 

1907, 2092, 2166. 
I-MANASED, p.p. menaced, 479. 
I-MARYD, pret. 3 s. marred, 3360. 
Inche8(8)oun, s. occasion, 56, 1030. 
I-RADE, p.p. read, 2651. 
I-wouNDYD, p.p. wounded, 934. 
I-WYSSE, adv, surely, 3633, 3635, 

3923. 

Kene, a4;. bold, 803, 955, 1921, 

1969, 3248. 
Kenne, V. know, recognize, 175 ; 

p.p. kene, 1097. 
Kepeth, pres. 3 s. pays attention to, 

3027 ; pret. 3 s. kepit, 102. 
Kest(eJ, pret 3 s. uttered, 3510; 

p.p. fixed, 455. 
KiTHE, 533. See Kythe. 
Klepis, pres, 3 s. calls, summons, 

816; pret. 3 s. klepitte, 191, 

KLEPYD, 536. 
Knowlache, pi'es. 1 s. acknowledge, 

3638. 
Kynnes, s. gen, kind of, 3037. 
Kythb, v. make known, display, 

declare, 1441, 1611, 1774, 2481, 

2744, 3598 ; proclaim, 1785 ; pret. 

3 8. kyd(de), 2751, 2892. 



Lad(e), pret. 3 s. led, 712, 723 ; p.p. 

1506. 
Layne, s. concealment, 602, 1964, 

3204. 
Layne, v. conceal, 989, 1026, 1108, 

2650, 3591. 
Layne, piet. 3 pi. lay, 2763. 
Leche, s. leech, physician, 368, 

380, 387 ; pi. lechis, 325, 331, 
Lechyng, 8. medical treatment, 3507. 
LEDE,a.man,3163; land, 653, 2659. 
Lede, v. live ? 3948. 
Lees, Les(b), 8. falsehood, 276, 423, 

992, 1719, 2255,2353,2959,3565. 
Leff, adj. dear, 1. 
Leffe, v. live, 2499. 
Lefte, pret. 3 s. remained, 53 ; s, 

LEUE. 

Lelyest, adv. most loyally, 1066. 
Leme (miswritten for leuyn), s. 

light, 3586. 
Lem(m)an, 8. lover (male or female), 

586, 605, 637, 1086, 1137, 1179. 
LEMYD,pre*. shone, 1471,3308, 3586. 
Lemyn (miswritten probably for 

leuyn), s. bright flame, lightning, 

3308. 
Lend(e), v. stay, tarry, 565, 617, 

1007, 3276, 3768 ; pre8. 1 pi. 2590 ; 

pret 3 8. LENTE, 988 ; p.p. lente, 

1353, 1945, 2277, 2727. 
Lende, v. land, 2473. 
Lene, v. lend, grant, 1464. 
Lenge, v. stay, dwell, 3276, 3556. 
Lenqer, adv. longer, 40, 162, 381, 

565, 1484, 3802. 
Lente, v. lend, 3693. 
Lere, 8. learning, 521. 
Lere, a. cheek, countenance, 3624; 

for the pi., 3832, cp. note. 
Lere, v. learn, 641. 
Lese. See Lees. 
Lese, 8ubj. 3 pres. lose, 3415. 
Lesyng(e), 8. falsehood, lying, 1004, 

1043, 1098, 2728, 3550. 
Let(te), Lett, pret. 3 «. caused (to 

be made), 41, 2978, 2985, 3028. 
Lette, v. cease (intrans.), 201,665; 

hinder, prevent, 205, 2441. 
Leue, Leve, adj. dear, 3204, 3412, 

3495. 
Leue, v. stay, 3203. 
Leue, imperat. 2 s. permit, 3556. 
Leuyd, pret 3 s. left, 2824; p.p. 

2820, 3744. 



142 



Glossary. 



Lbvande, prtB. part, living, 2840. 

Lewd, jo.p. lived, 3601. 

Leyre, $. countenance, 475. See 

Lere, 
LiQGYS, prts. 3 B. lies, 1730. 
Light, p.p. settled, 581. 
LoGOEN, prts. 3 pi, lodge, arrange, 

1901. 
LoKYD, pp, enclosed, lodged, 2620. 
Lone, b, concealment, 1124. 
Lore, «. learning, doctrine, 3966. 
LoRRME, B, bridle-reins, 1471. 
LoRNE, p.p, lost, 3551. 
LouGHE, adj. flaming, full, 1594. 
LouGHE, pret. laughed, 496, 1536, 

1636. 
LovDE, adj. loud, 910. 
Lykynge, b. love, 3702. 
Lythe, v. listen to, hear, 676, 1479, 

1582, 1643, 1772, 1787, 1942. 
Lyvand, 949. See Levande. 

Make, s. match, 1062 ; mate, spouse, 

3668. 
May(e), s. maiden, 196, 1107. 
Mayne, s. strength, 3797. 
Mekelle, Mekylle, adj. great, 

1424, 1528, 3816. See Mykelle. 
Mene, v. complain, mourn, 727, 

3861. 
Mene, v. discourse, tell, indicate, 

22, 1686; remember, 3729; pres. 

1 s. 2420, 3959 ; pret. 3 s. 3932 ; 

p.p. 3695. 
Merely, adv. merrily, cheerfully, 

3856. 
Mese, 8. course, 1512. 
Meyne, s. company, 2039. 
Mo, adv. more, 198, 648. 
MocHK, Myche, adj. great, 1960, 

2219, 2850, 2923, 3082; adv. 

much, 96. 
MocHELLE, adj. great, 1496. 
Mode, b. mind, 3679. 
Mold(e), s. earth, ground, 707, 

3300, 3459, 3684; pi. moldys, 

3545. 
^loN, pres. 1 s. must, shall, 3230. 
Morrow, «. morning, 3366, 3810. 
MosTE, adj. greatest, 3212. 
MoTTE, pres. 1 s. am permitted to, 

3207. 
Mow(e), pres. 1 pi. may, 1114, 1140. 
Myche. See Moche. 
Mychelle, Mykelle, Mykylle, adj. 



great, 1560, 1642, 1690, 1749, 
3313; adv. much, 1675, 1708, 
1783,2042. See Mekelle, MocH- 
ELLE. 

Myngyd, wet. 3 «. disturbed, con- 
fused, 3933. 

Mynne, v. remind, 169. 

MYS8E, B. sin, 3677. 

Nade, pret. 1 s. had not, 1410. 
Ne, adv. not, 76, 98, 566. 
Nedelyngis, adv. necessarily, 753. 
Nere, pret. ayhj. 3 «. were not, 411. 
Neuyn(e), Nevyn, Newyn, t. name, 

tell, 2582, 3304, 3584, 3823, 3881 ; 

pres. 1 B. 3409, 3965. 
No, adv. not, 37. 
Nold(e), pre*, would not, 633, 701, 

1455, 2825, 3786. 
Nome, pre*. 3 «. took, 2258, 2374. 
None, adj. no, 89. 
Note, pres. 1 «. know not, 3426. 
Nye(e), v. draw nigii to, 2832, 3183. 
Nylle, pres. 3 s. will not, 823, 2077, 

3039 ; pres. 1 pi 1457. 
NYSE, adj. foolish, 3010. 
Nyste, pret. knew not, 616, 856. 

0, numerals one, 1593, 1602. 

Obbyte, b. habit, dress, 3763. 

Of, adv. off, 1850. 

Of-shere, v. cut off, 213. 

One, adv. alone, 315. 

Onys, adv. once, 2699. 

Ore, b. mercy, 1344, 3484. 

Or(e), adv. before, 1740, 2202, 3717; 

conj. 1535, 1917, 2856, 3134, 3953 ; 

pr^. 526, 3375. 
OsTE, B. host, 2043, 2102 ; pi. ostes, 

2154, 2211, 2619. 
Ouereste, adv. uppermost, 846. 
OuTHER, indef. pron. either, 2013. 

Palle, 8. a costly cloth, 2712. 

Paraylle, s. apparel, 2614. 

Pight, Pyghte, p.p. pitched, 2623, 
2644. 

Play(e), 8. sport, amusement, 398, 
779, 1019. 

Play(e), v. amuse oneself, 445, 517, 
730, 815, 890. 

PoMELLES, s. pi. apple-shaped orna- 
ments on top of tent-poles, 2625. 

Praste, 3326. See Preste. 

Prees, Pres, Pres(s)e, s. press, 518 ; 



Glossary, 



143 



throng, company, 417, 1713, 1859, 

1965, 2351. 
Pbesons, pres, 2 s. imprisonest, 

1853. 
Preste, adj, ready, eager, 2716, 

3151, 3827. 
Previte, «. private affairs, secret 

counsels, 657. 
Prewely, adv. privately, 1767. 
Pryde, a. splendour, 630, 1940. 
Pryse, adj. prize, choice, 1111. 

QuERE, «. choir, 3138, 3902, 3910. 
Que8t(e), «. judicial inquiry, 919, 

925, 1320. 
Quite, adj, free, 490. 
QuYTES, pres. 3 s, requites, repays, 

2292. 

Eadde. See Bede. 

Randowne, 8. onrush, pace, 2750, 

2888. 
Rap(p)e, v. hasten, 2664 ; pres. subj, 

2 pi. 3613. 
Rauqht, pret 3 s. started, 3191. 
liAYED^pretSs. arrayed, 2720, 3306. 
Eayke, v. charge, rush, 3373. 
Rayled, p.p, adorned, 3531. 
Rayne, s, kingdom, 1980, 3223. 
Reas(s)e, Res(s)e, s. rush, attack, 

1861, 1957, 2690, 2905, 3258; 

expedition, pilgrimage, 2664. 
Rede, s. counsel, advice, 907, 1113. 
Rede, pres. 1 «. counsel, say, direct, 

168, 232, 233, 855, 978, 2839, 

3427 ; pies. mhj. 3 s. 1745 ; pret 

2 s. RADDE, 3430; rule, 1416, 2311 

(infin,) ; read, 2956 {pres. 1 s.). 
Releve, imperat. 2 pi. recover, 

3112. 
Reme, s. realm, kingdom, 2512,3666. 
Renne, v. run, 3947. 
Resoous, pres. 3 s. rescues, 2227. 
Re(s)seyve, v. receive, 3688, 3708 ; 

pret 3 s. resseyuyd, resseyved, 

3788, 3862 ; pret 3 pi, reseyved, 

572. 
RiGGE, 8. back, 2178. 
Right, adj. and adv. straight, 161, 

620, 
Rode, s. rood, cross, 3851, 3882. 
Rode, s. redness, rosy colour, 179 ; 

pi. RODDYS, 3956. 
RoPFE, Rove, pret rived, split, 

2909,3372. 



Romans, s, romance, 2363. 

Rod, s. quiet, rest, 3614. 

RouGHT, pret. 3 s. recked, 3522. 

RowND, adj. favourable, 3805. 

RowNE, 8. speech, 3510. 

RowNE, V. speak, 3423. 

Ryche, adj. mighty (one), 2905, 

3373. 
Ryffe, adj. rife, 1825. 
Ryghtwosse, adj. righteous, 3740. 

Sad(d)e, adj. tired, 461, 716. 
Salowes, Salues, pres. 3 «. salutes, 

68, 735, 737, 2376. 
Samen, adv. together, 2154, 2392. 
Samyte, 8. samite, a rich silk stuff, 

2358. 
Sangrayle, 8. Holy Grail, 10. 
Sanzfayle, adv. surely, indeed, 971. 
Sare, adv. sorely, 16^ 272. 
Saumbues, 8. pL housings, 2360. . 
Sawes, 8. pi. speeches, sayings, 

1151, 3251. 
Sayne, v. say, 3319 ; p.p. said, de- 
clared, 2872. 
Scauberke, 8. scabbard, 3471, 3474. 
ScRYVED, pret 3 pi. burst, 382 ; p.p. 

407. 
Se(e), Sey, pret saw, 741, 1476, 

3181, 3417, 3624. 
Seche, v. seek, 437,3021, 3799. 
See, s, seat, 2693. 
Seke, adj, sick, 54, 158, 173, 625, 

664, 2165. 
Sekereste, adj. most trustworthy, 

2518. 
SEKERYD,|M-e^. 3 pi. Confirmed, 2331. 
Sekerynge, 8. assurance, guarantee, 

2322. 
Sely, adv. very, 3387, 3835. 
Semblant, 8. appearance, 659. 
Semely, adj. beautiful (one), 639. 
Sengle, adv. uniquely, 1796. 
Sente, 8, opinion, consent, 2278. 
Sethe, co^j. since, 2903. See SiTHE. 
Sey. See Se(e). 
Shende, 8. shame, 1664. 
Shende,Shent(e), p.».put to shame, 

disgraced, 1321, 2273, 2913,3230; 

lost, 1724. 
Skene, adj, bright, beautiful, 51, 68, 

1515, 1657, 1800; 2384, 2612, 3338. 
Sbo, pers. pron. she, 1426. 
Shore,^.|>. taken, 84. 
Shoure, 8. attack, 3000. 



144 



Glossary. 



Shreddb, V, cut, 2563. 
Shynand, pres, part, shining, 973. 
SiGHE, pret saw, 706, 998. 
SiTBE, Sythe, adv, afterwards, 398, 

451, 546, 1336, 3792. 
SiTHB, canj, since, 126, 209, 234, 

557, 745, 75a 
SiTHEN, adv. afterwards, then, 614. 
SiTTE, 8. anhappiness, 497; pi. 

8YTTE8, calamities, 870. 
Slab, Sle, v. slay, 843, 2115, 2507, 

2579, 2601. 
Slbb, ac{;. sly, cunning, 3421. 
Slo(o), v. strike, slay, 1411, 1527, 

1841,2100,2188,2825. See Slab. 
Snelle, acfj, quick, active, 884, 2234 ; 

adv. quickly, 790. 
SoKERYNGE, «. comforting, 3674. 
So(n)ND, 8. message, that which is 

sent, 3562, 3675. 
SoNE, adv. soon, 930, 963. 
Soth(e), 8. truth, 60, 93, 226, 396, 

771, 3798. 
Sought, pret. pi. went, journeyed, 

2952; p.p. pierced, 870, 2873. 
Sound. See So(u)nd. 
SowNE, 8. speech, utterance, 3514. 
Spelle, v. talk, 3024, 3722. 
Speryd, pret. 3 a. shut, 2997. 
Spille, V become empty, 23. 
Sprent(e), pret. sprang, 1846, 1892, 

1949, ly54, 1994, 3357. 
Stad, p.p. placed (with sense of 

discomfort, oppression), 3226, 

3627. 
Stede, s. place, 851. 
Stent(e), v. delay (intrans.), 3936; 

pi-et 3 pi, stopped, 1844 ; p.p. 

3080. 
Stert(e), v. spring, 3278 ; pret. 3 «. 

2740, 2789, 3352. 

Steuen, Stevyn, 8. voice, 2584, 3411, 
3821, 3875, 3967. 

Stode, 8. support, sustenance, 3621. 

Stomelyd, pret. 3 s. stumbled, 115. 

Stornnely, adv. sternly, 2549. 

Stound(e), Stownd, s. time, short 
while, 1959, 2549, 2865, 3066. 

Stoure, Stowre, 8. conflict, strug- 
gle, battle, 236, 655, 1811, 2288, 

2741, 3036, 3893. 

Straught, pret. 3 s. stretched him- 
self, put forth his strength, 2814. 
Stronge, adj. diflScult, 3833. 
Stryffe, adj. sharp, keen, 1829. 



Stynt(e), v. stop, 3246 (trans.), 
3947 {intram.). See Stente. 

SwEUYS, Sweyneys, «. pi. dreams, 
3170, 3226. 

SwiTHE, SwYTHE, odj- Very, 246; 
quickly (frequently with pleonas- 
tic cw, oZw), 79, 394, 531, 674, 700, 
996, 1477, 1481. 

SwoNNE, 8, swoon, 3728. 

Swoughe, 8. swoon, 903, 1634. 

SWOUGHE ? 875. 

SwYTHE. See SwiTHE. 

Sy(gh)e, pret. saw, 2800, 3105, 
3201, 3618, 3749. 

Syker, adj. assured, 2333; safe, 
2741. 

Syne, cor^. since, 3684. 

Sythe, «. time, 696; occasion, 1561; 
pi. SITHES, 774. 

Sythe, adv. afterwards. See Sithe. 

Sythen, a4j' afterwards, then, 1530, 
1700, 2660. See Sithen. 

Syttes. See Sitte. 

Tase, pre8. 3 8. takes, 956. 
Te, v. draw, come, 965, 1015. 
Telde, 8. tent, 2624; pi. teldys, 

2725. 
Telle, conj. till, 3656. 
Tene, 8. anger, 1449. 
Tene, v. become vexed, 281. 
Tent, pret. 3 «. paid attention to, 

3946. 
Than, adv. then, 1461, 2876, 2944, 

3528. 
Thar(e), pre8. 3 s. need (twipei*- 

8<mal), 2028, 2338, 2426; pre8. 2 s. 

(per8onal), 3285. 
Tee, per8on. pron. they, 1893. 
Thede, s. people, 1415 ; country, 

61, 2305, .2361. 
Thedyr, adv. thither, 3751. 
Theighe, c<yt0. though, 1985. 
Thereof, adv. therefrom, 1038. 
Thewis, 8. pi. manners, 1081. 
Thinkith, Thynkith, pres. 3 «. 

seems, 635, 768 ; pret. 3 «. 

thought, 3829. 
Tho(o), demonstr. pron. pi. those, 

352, 448, 1151, 1942, 3079, 3402. 
Tho(o), adv. then, 186, 249, 313, 976, 

1020, 1112, 1341,2854,3749, 1526. 
Thore, adv. there, 2005, 2388, 3284, 

3480. 
Thought to, p.p. intended for, 1655. 



Glossary. 



145 



Thro(o), adj. hard, bold, fierce, 589, 
1526, 2184, 2389, 2879, 2942,3328. 

Thrye, adv. thrice, 383. 

Thryve, p.p. excellent, strong, 589. 

TiDANDis, Tydandis, -E8, 8. pi. tid- 
ings, 703, 710, 767. 

TiLLE, TYLLE,prep. to, 191, 637, 817, 
1771, 1780, 1786. 

TiTHANDIS, TyTHANDIS, -YS, 8. pi. 

tidings, 542, 1984, 2015, 2328. 

TiTHlNGis, 8. pi, tidings, 641. 

To, conj. until, 374, 3437. 

To-FORNB, adv. before, 3608. 

ToKE,^e^. 3 8. gave, 2713. 

Tone, def. art. + numeral^ the one, 
2797, 3253, 3384, 3710. 

Triacle, 8. antidote to poison, sove- 
reign remedy, 864. 

Tronchon, 8. handle, 3071. 

Trone, 8. throne, 3789, 3944. 

TwiGHT, pret. 3 s. twitched, took, 
1038. 

TwYNNB, numeral^ two, 2211. 

Tyde, 8. time, 54, 241, 365, 834, 
2081, 3834. 

Tylle. See Tille. 

Vndyr-tyme, 8. morning, 2807. 
Vnfayne, adj. unhappy, 2691. 
Vn-hend(e), adj. ungentle, unkind, 

1001, 1081. 
Vnkouth, adj. unknown, foreign, 

851. 
Vnneth(e), adv. hardly, 2820, 2857. 
Vn-sad, adj. not satiated, 1508. 
Vnsaught, p.p. insane, 3189. 
Vnso(u)nde, Vnsownde, adj. ill, 

2859, 3343, 3387. 
Vntylle, prep, to, 3858. 
VouTE, 8. vault, dome, 972. 

Waites, Waytes, pre8. 3 s. watches, 

74, 1779. 
Wake, v. keep vigils, 3571 ; watch, 

2605 ; pre8. svkj. 1 pi. 2591. 
Warne, v. prevent, 3011, 3040 (?). 
Warynge, 8. warring, 2975. 
Wawes, 8. pi. waves, 3465. 
Wede, 8. apparel, armour, 83, 176, 

778, 2639. 
Wede, v. rave, be mad, 651, 787, 914. 
Wedres, 8. pi. weather, 2470. 
Welde, v. wield, control, 101 ; rule, 

920, 2917. 
Wele, 8. joy, 3788. 

HORTB ARTHUR. 



Welluette, 8. velvet, 2615. 
Wene, 8. doubt, question, 548, 1680, 

1758, 1822, 2546. 
Wenge, v. avenge, 2217. 
Wente. See Wenys. 
WENTE,|9ret. 3 8. turned, 1349. 
Wenys, pre8. 3 8. weens, thinks, 686 ; 

pret. 3 8. WENDE, WENTE, 422, 865, 

3054, 3795. 
Were, v. wear, 2791 ; pret. 3 8. 

WERYD, 3030. 
Werrynge, 2932. See Warynge. 
Wessche, jn-et. 3 pi. washed, 2855. 
Wet(t)e, v. know, 1005, 1039, 1717, 

2543, 3919 ; imperat. 2 8. 2303 ; 

imperat. 2 pi. 2600. 
Wetterlye, Wytterly, adv. surely, 

1381, 1452. 
Wexe, pret. 3 8. grew, 762, 951 ; 

p.p. WEXYN, grown, 2207. 
Whan, conj. when, 1367, 3304. 
Whedyr, adv. whither, 3512, 3513, 

3603. 
Where, conj. whether, 1987. 
Wight, Wyght, s. person, 577, 608 ; 

thing (especially strengthening 

the negative = not at all), 107, 

472, 915, 1377. 
Wight, adj. strong, active, 460. 
Wight(e)ly, Wyghtely, adv. with 

strengtii, might, 2822; quickly, 

513, 3289. 
Wis, imperat. 2 s. direct, 3414. 
WiSELiCHE, adv. certainly, 1158. 
Wi8t(e), Wyste, pret. knew (how), 

8, 119, 128, 189, 435, 529, 1537, 

2499, 3539 ;2>.|>. 1148. 
WiTE, Wyte, V. blame, reproach 

with, 492, 1153, 2880; pres. 2 «. 

WITESTE, 2398. 
Withe, prep, by, 1778. 
WLLE,pres. 1 8. will, 2592. 
WoDE, adj. mad, 384, 662, 1172, 

1710, 1994, 2841. 
WoKYS, 8. pi. weeks, 2111. 
WoLDE, 8. subjection, control, 745> 

3233. 
WoLLE, pre8. 1 8. will, 1495. 
WoNDYD, p.p. wounded, 3434. 
WoNE, 8. abundance, 1083. 
WoNNE, 8. dwelling, habitation, 

3377. 
WoNNYNG, 8. dwelling, 3561. 
Wo(u)nyd, pret. dwelt, 137, 332, 

3636. 



146 



Glossary, 



WooDELY, adv, madly, wildly, 3191. 

WoRCHE, V, work, 3683. 

Worship(pe), Worshyp(pe), 8. hon- 
our, reputation, 35, 1152, 2845, 
2933. 

Worshipped, -id, p.p. shown honour 
to, 1551, 1569. 

WoRSHiPPFFULLY, odv. with honouF, 
1117. 

WoRTHE, V, become, 1817 ; pres. 3 s. 
W0RTHI8, gets, 782. 

WoRTHE, Worthy, adj. worthy, 
strong, 2545, 2559. 

WouGHE, 8. trouble, evil, wo, 1333, 
1365, 1638. 

Wound, v. wend, go, 2863. 

WouNDE, 1?. hesitate, 1070, 3558. 

WouNT, pret 3 8. was wont, 26. 

Wrake, s. rack, ruin, 1695, 3567; 
trouble, suffering, 935, 948, 1092, 
1181 ; vengeful spirit, 1451 ; mis- 
chief, 1675. 

Wykke, adj. severe, 3365. 

Wylanlyche, ocy. villainously, 1156. 

Wynne, s. joy, 3788. 



Wynne, v. to come, 1830. 
Wytterly. See Wetterlye. 
Wythsayne, v. gainsay, deny, 2406. 

Ya, adv. yea, 79, 1626. 

Yare, adj. ready, 218, 349, 1420, 
2702 ; adv. quickly, 983, 3536. 

Yat, 8. gate, 2864 ; pi. yates, 2743. 

Yede, j9re^. went, 81, 346, 667, 986, 
1331, 2280, 3952. 

Yeff(e), Yeue, v. give, 2728, 3267, 
3275 ; pre8. 8idj. 3 s. yeffe, yiffe, 
2643, 3671 ; imperat. 2 8. yif, 
3554; pret yafe, yaff(e), 269, 
2815, 2963 ; p.p. yeve, 88. 

Yif(e), Yiff(e), cmij. if, 199, 1627, 
1709, 2077. 

Y3EN, 8. pi. eyes, 1349. 

Ylke, adj. same, 54, 366, 1934, 3639. 
See Tlke 

Yo{o)de, pret. went, 307, 1858, 2876, 
3108, 3751 ; ran, 962, 3935. 

YoLDE, pret. 1 s. yielded, surren- 
dered, 2308 *p.^. YOLDEN, 2797. 

YvELLE, ady. difficult, 619. 



147 



INDEX OF PROPER NAMES. 



N,B, All the variant forms of a name are given, but no attempt has been 
made to render the references for each form exhaustive. 



Aggrawayne, 1718, 1764, 1910, 
1916 ; A^ravayne, 73 ; Agra- 
veyne, 69 ; Agrawayne, 1676, 
1692, 1728, 1832. 

Arthur, 88, 337, 640, 955, 1048, 1681, 
2388, 3082, 3964; Arthure, 1096, 
1934, 2070, 2500 ; gen, Arthur, 5, 
3346; Arthurs, 260, 2965; Arthur- 
is, 3157, 3776. 

Ascalot, 548, 747, 1064; Ascalote, 
1011; Ascolot, 138, 297, 646, 
1136 ; Ascolote, 1136. 

Avelovne, 3516. 

Avmysbery, 3569, 3964. 

Barendowne, 3094, 3592. 

Banndemagew, 2564. 

Bedwere, 3386, 3400, 3519, 3768. 

Benwike, 2305, 2474; Benwyk, 
2707 ; Benwyke, 2534. 

Boert, 230, 464 ; Boerte, 273, 432 ; 
Boerte de Gawnes, 788 ; Bors, 
1344, 1443, 1888, 2214, 3607, 
3808, 3921 ; Bors de Gawnes, 
1326, 1772, 2084, 2648, 2746, 
3802. 

Bretayne, 3376, 3553; gen, Bre- 
taynes, 2513. 

Canterbery, 3002, 3119; Cantur- 
bery, 2982 ; Caunterbery, 3019. 

Cornwale, 3267 ; Comwayle, 3275, 
3295. 

Cryste, 3004. 

Doner, 3589; Dover, 3042, 3794; 
Dower, 3055. 

Ector, 299, 436, 789, 3807, 3946; 

Estor, 1327, 1394, 2492. 
Engelond, 2435. See Yngland. 
Evwayn» 129 ; Evwayne, 107, 230, 

265, 408 ; Evway[n]e, 106. 



Excaliber, 3448. 
Fraunce, 2486. 

Gaheriet, 1674, 1722, 1940, 1979; 

Gahereit, 1987; Gaheryet, 1931, 

2020, 2026. 
Gaheries, 1940 2020; Gaheryes, 

1722, 1931 ; Gaherys, 1935. 
Galehod, 43, 225; Galehud, 2587; 

Galyhud, 2572 ; gen. Galehodis, 

261. 
Gawayn, 824, 1041, 2751 ; Gawayne, 

636, 600, 1115, 1720, 2218, 3593 ; 

Gaweyn, 570 ; Gaweyne, 576, 626 ; 

gen, Gawayne, 2899. 
Gawle, 2487. 

Gawnes, -2484 ; Gawnys, 1422. 
Gaynor, 3566 ; Gaynore, 421 ; Gay- 

nour, 3600, 3965; Genure, 515, 

835, 901, 936. 
Glassynbery, 3960. 

Ihesu, 2642, 3562, 3894, 3968; Ihesu 
Criste, 534, 861 ; Ihesu Cryst, 
2475; Ihesu Cryste, 1974, 2074, 
3940 ; gen, Ihesu, 3929. 

loyes Garde, 3845, 3901; loyus 
Gard, 2044, 2346, 2460; loyus 
Garde, 1669, 2079, 2110. 

Kamelot, 420. 

Karlytt, 2349 ; Karllyle, 2257, 2327. 
Kelyon, 2466; Kerlyonne, 2529. 
Kente, 2982, 3019, 3295. 

Lancelot, 2916, 3590, 3884 ; Lance- 
lot du lake, 1614, 3962 ; Launce- 
lot, 53, 543, 1596, 2142, 3574, 
3823; Launcelot de lake, 2589, 
2640; Launcelot du lake, 629, 
1410, 2779 ; Launcelote, 1682, 
1945 ; Launcelote du lake, 1094 ; 



148 



Index of Proper Names. 



Launcelott, 27, 81, 178, 1099; 

Launcelotte, 233, 706; gen. 

Laancelot, 2237 ; Laancelotis, 

2046, 2329; Launcelottis, 594, 598. 
London, 2992, 2996, 3800. 
Lionelle, 1459; Lyoneit, 3797; Ly- 

onelle, 230,432, 788, 1536, 2486. 
Lucan, 2636, 3436 ; Lucan de bote- 

ler,3232,3416; Lucan de botelere, 

3384; Lucan de bottelere, 2631 ; 

Lucane de botteler, 2695. 

Mador, 883, 1449, 1644. 

Mary, 3410 ; gen. Mary-is, 3863. 

Mordred, 2518, 2998, 3228, 3560; 

Mordreit, 1862, 1904, 1908, 2522 ; 

Mordreite, 1675. 



Nortlie Gales, 2580. 

Rome, 2248. 
Rowcnester, 2255. 

Salusbury, 3148 ; Salysbery, 3597. 
Sangrayle, 10. 
Scottis, 2099. 

Walys, 2099, 3147. 
Wynchester, 42, 340, 2984. 

Yngland, 347, 2261, 2958, 3263; 

Ynglande, 2249, 2268; Ynglonde, 

2098, 2273. 
Yreland, 2098. 



23269-S 



/